Feb. 19, 2009

Box Score

#22 Bellarmine 77, Lewis 71 in PDF Format

Louisville, Kent. - No. 22 Bellarmine, led by 18 points from sophomore forward Nick Holmes, used a late 9-0 run in the second half to come-from-behind Great Lakes Valley Conference victory over the Lewis men's basketball team as the Knights remain undefeated this season at Knights Hall on Thursday night.

BU senior guard Chartrael Hall posted a double-double of 15 points, 11 rebounds and added a game-high seven assists to pace the Knights' offense. Bellarmine's Justin Benedetti and Kevin Allen each scored 11 points, while Braydon Hobbs chipped in 11 tallies in the victory.

Bellarmine shot 52.8% (28-for-53) from the field and 56.3% (9-for-16) from three-point range for the game.

The Flyers were unable to sustain a 10-point first half lead, despite shooting both 50.0% (26-for-52) from the field and from three-point land (12-for-24).

"Our defense has cost use a few games this season," Lewis head men's basketball coach Scott Trost said. "I'm proud of our effort and I thought our kids competed tonight. Bellarmine is a tough team and this was the closest game they've had at home by far."

With the victory, Bellarmine improves to 20-5 overall and 11-5 in conference play, while the Flyers drop to 14-10 on the season and 8-7 in GLVC action.

Lewis sophomore guard Dennis Thomas (Milwaukee, Wis./Bradley Tech) who had converted just 3-for-22 of his field goals over the last three games, posted a game-high 22 points for the Flyers. Thomas knocked down 8-for-11 of his shots from the field and tied a career-high with four trifectas on the evening.

Lewis seniors Brandon Dagans (Harvey, Ill./Thornton) and Jason Genova (Chicago, Ill./St. Patrick/Saint Xavier) each scored 14 points in the loss. Dagans, who had scored at least 20-points in his last four games, and Genova shot a combined 9-for-27 from the field.

Lewis is back in action on Saturday for the final home game of the season, as the Flyers host Kentucky Wesleyan for `Senior Day' at 3 p.m. at Neil Carey Arena. Prior to the contest, Lewis Athletics will honor Dagans, Genova, Mike Robinson (Chicago, Ill./Hales Franciscan/Eastern Illinois) and Ryan Sharp (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield Central).

A Catholic University sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis offers nearly 80 undergraduate majors and programs of study, accelerated degree completion options for working adults, various aviation programs and 22 graduate programs in nine fields. The mid-sized university is being honored for the fifth consecutive year by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. For more information please visit www.lewisu.edu. ##LEWIS##