Jan. 23, 2008

Box Score

CHICAGO - Junior Kelly Dianis scored all 13 of her points in the second half, including three huge 3-pointers and two free-throws to ice the game to help the Flyers defeat Division I Chicago State 65-63 in a road non-conference game on Wednesday night.

The first half was dominated by shots from the outside as the two squads combined for 21 attempted 3-pointers. Early on Junior Jenna Mooberry hit a 3-pointer from the left corner to tie the score at seven. Junior Mandie Morelock then connected on a trey as the shot clock was winding down to give the Flyers a three point lead with under 14 minutes remaining in the first. Devin London tied the game at 14 on a 3-pointer of her own with 8:45 remaining. Courtney Waldon then hit back-to-back 3-pointers to give Chicago State a six point lead of their own at 20-14. Chicago State extended their lead to eight on a layup by Nicole Clark to take a 26-18 advantage into half.

A layup by junior Lauren Martens, a steal by sophomore Lauresha Hawkins followed by a Jenny Turpel 3-pointer to start the second half forced Chicago State to call a timeout and quickly get the Flyers back within three points. Martens got Lewis within one on a layup with 16:12 remaining. A steal by sophomore Kaci Baird who dished it to Mooberry tied the game at 31 with 14:11 remaining. Lewis took their first lead of the second half on a basket by Dianis from the right side after breaking the Cougars' full court press. Mooberry followed with a layup to stretch the Flyers lead to four at 35-31. Dianis hit a 3-pointer with 8:31 left and a foul on Chicago State in the paint during the shot put Turpel at the line. She hit both shots and extended the Flyers lead to 47-41. It looked like the Flyers might be putting the game away but seven straight points by Chicago State gave the lead back to the Cougars. Chicago State took a 52-49 advantage on a four-point play by Alyssa Waldon with under six remaining. With the Cougars' lead at four Dianis knocked in a trey from the right corner and Martens hit a layup to give the Flyers the lead at 54-53. Dianis extended the lead to 57-54 on another shot from beyond the arc. After a Chicago State hoop Hawkins went to the line and hit one of two to give the Flyers a two point lead with 2:30 left. Martens connected on a layup to give the Flyers a two point lead once again after Dixon knocked in two free throws. Mooberry was fouled after grabbing a huge defensive board and hit both clutch free throws to give the Flyers a four point advantage with 1:11 left. Again though, the Cougars responded, this time it was a trey by Devin Waldon that got the Cougars within one. After Mooberry missed a 3-pointer, Dixon's fade away from the left side was short and Baird was fouled after grabbing the board with only 23 seconds remaining. But Baird could only make the first. Dixon drove into the lane but Martens held her ground and forced Dixon to attempt an off balance shot. Dianis snatched the rebound and went to the line with 7.8 left and iced it with two free throws.

In addition to Dianis' impressive second half performance she also added seven boards. Martens finished with a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds. All 12 of Martens' points came in the second half to help spur the Flyers' early rally. Turpel had 11 points and five boards. Mooberry added 11 and seven. The Flyers out-rebounded the Cougars 42-33 after trailing the category at the half. Lewis recorded a season high 23 assists.

The Flyers moved to 9-6 while the Cougars fell to 8-10.

Lewis returns to conference play on Saturday at Wisconsin-Parkside.