March 8, 2008

Box Score

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Led by sharp-shooting junior Jason Genova with a game-high 29 points, the Lewis Flyers shot 64.3 percent from 3-point range and defeated Saint Joseph's 86-75, in a Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament Semifinal game Saturday evening on the campus of Drury University.

The Flyers (20-9) advanced to the GLVC Championship where they will face tournament top seed and host Drury on Sunday at 3:30 p.m.. The Panthers defeated Quincy 76-63 earlier in the other semifinal matchup.

Against Saint Joseph's, Genova hit early and often from beyond the arc to help the Flyers build their lead. The Pumas led 7-6 in the early minutes, but Genova put the Flyers in front with a three ball at 14:17 of the first. Lewis did not trail again the remainder of the game.

Another Genova trey with 2:27 to play in the first gave Lewis its largest lead of the half at 34-25. Genova had four threes and 16 points at half.

The Pumas closed the first half strong to make it a four-point game at the break, but Lewis opened the second half on a 12-2 run to take control of the game.

Senior Stephan Bolt, who posted a double-double of 13 points and a game-high 16 rebounds, dunked on Lewis' opening possession. Genova and junior Brandon Dagans each followed with treys before Saint Joseph's got on the board.

Dagans finished with 22 points, getting many of those at the line in the second half. He went 12-for-12 from the stripe for the game.

The Flyers led by as many as 17 points in the second half, aided by a 27-for-36 effort at the foul line. Lewis was just 2-for-7 at the line in the first half. The Pumas never got any closer than eight points of Lewis in the second half.

Genova finished a crisp 10-for-13 from the field and 6-for-8 from downtown. Senior Brandon Alexander added eight points and nine rebounds, and junior Ryan Sharp scored five points after hitting a trey and making two-for-two at the line.

Lewis out-rebounded the Pumas 44-35 and held Saint Joseph's to a 10-for-15 showing at the line.

Lewis is playing the GLVC title game for the first time since the 2003-04 season, which also is the last time the Flyers won the GLVC championship.