Feb. 11, 2010

Box Score

KENOSHA, Wis. - The Lewis women's basketball team was unable to hold a four-point halftime lead during a 72-69 loss at UW-Parkside on Thursday evening in a key Great Lakes Valley Conference contest.

Junior Jenny Turpel (Johnsburg, Ill./Johnsburg) finished with a team-best 24 points, six rebounds and four steals. Senior Kelly Dianis (Hinsdale, Ill./Hinsdale Central) added 10 points. Sophomore Devon Carbaugh (Sterling, Ill./Sterling) had eight points.

The Rangers took a quick 8-2 advantage only to see the Flyers score 11 consecutive points and lead 13-8. Carbaugh and Turpel each had four points during the run.

Lewis led for the rest of the first half. The Rangers' Amanda Gibson made it a 36-32 Lewis lead at the break on a jumper with three seconds remaining in the half.

The Flyers led 43-38 four minutes into the second half when the Rangers made their run. Six minutes later it was a 49-45 Rangers' lead. UW-Parkside stretched their lead to double-digits in the game's final minutes before the Flyers' press forced multiple UW-Parkside turnovers down the stretch. The Flyers trailed by just four at 68-64 when freshman Labrenthia Murdock (Round Lake, Ill./Round Lake)'s (Round Lake, Ill./Round Lake) shot attempt was no good with 54 seconds left. UW-Parkside made just one of two free throws on the other end but Murdock turned the ball over on the ensuing possession to end Lewis' hopes.

"We had a span on the defensive end in the second half where we were tentative," head coach Lisa Carlsen said. "You can't do that, especially on the road in a game like this."

The Rangers held a key 35-24 rebounding edge, including an 11-5 advantage on the offensive glass. The Rangers connected on 20-of-28 free throws while Lewis made 10 of only 12 attempts.

Lewis shot 48 percent (26-of-54) from the field while UW-Parkside made 49 percent (26-of-53). Brittany Hogan led the Rangers with 20 points.

Lewis plays at St. Joseph's on Saturday afternoon before finishing the regular season with home games against Illinois-Springfield and Quincy.

"There are three games left in the regular season and they all mean a ton," Carlsen said. "Yeah we could have made things easier tonight with a win, but we have a lot of good basketball in us."

UW-Parkside improves to 19-5 (11-4 GLVC). Lewis falls to 14-10 (10-5 GLVC).

Saturday's contest at St. Joseph's will start at 1 p.m. and can be heard on WJOL 1340 AM.