Jan. 15, 2011

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Men's Basketball: Indianapolis 83, Lewis 81 (OT) in PDF Format

Romeoville, Ill. - The Lewis University men's basketball team had one comeback in them, but unfortunately they could not muster a second, as Indianapolis, led by senior guard Darius Adams, claimed the 83-81 Great Lakes Valley Conference overtime victory over the host Flyers at Neil Carey Arena on Saturday (Jan. 15) night.

Adams posted a double-double with a game-high 34 points with 17 rebounds. Greyhound center Wilbur O'Neal added 16 points and eight rebounds, while teammate Adrian Moss posted 12 points in the win.

"Indianapolis found a way to make some plays tonight and we didn't," Lewis head men's basketball coach Scott Trost said. "We have to make plays down the stretch.

"That's the bottom line and that's the end of the story."

With the win, Indianapolis improves to 12-2 overall and 5-1 in conference action, while the Flyers fall to 10-8 on the season and 3-4 in conference play.

Lewis senior guard Dennis Thomas, Jr. (Milwaukee, Wis./Bradley Tech) led the Flyers with 23 points, while backcourt mate David Bryant (Batavia, Ill./Batavia) tied a career-best with 19 points. Lewis junior Chris McClellan (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Wheeling) scored all 16 of his points after the first half.

The Flyers, who entered the game shooting 75.9% from the charity stripe, converted just 57.6% (19-for-33) of their attempts. Indianapolis also claimed a decisive advantage on the boards, as the Greyhounds grabbed 44 caroms, including 19 offensive rebounds, to Lewis' 37.

Adams and Moss proved to be the catalysts for UIndy in the extra session, as the duo combined for 11 of the Greyhounds' 13 points. It was an Adams' overtime rebound, however, that swung momentum in the favor of UIndy.

Lewis held an 80-79 lead with 35 seconds left, following a Thomas lay-up. On the ensuing possession, O'Neal was sent to the foul line for a pair of shots as he was fouled by Lewis center Marty Strus (Hickory Hills, Ill./Stagg). He missed both free throws, but Adams was able to garner the rebound on the second attempt and lay it in to give UIndy the 81-80 advantage with 23 seconds remaining.

Following a timeout, Thomas went to the basket and was unable to convert, but junior forward Matt Toth (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) was able to haul in the offensive carom and was fouled with eight seconds left in overtime. Toth made the first charity shot, but missed the second. O'Neal grabbed the miss and was fouled, sending him to the free throw line with the game tied at 81 and five seconds remaining.

O'Neal knocked both attempts, and Thomas' game-winning three-pointer missed, securing the 83-81 win for the visiting Greyhounds.

While it was the Greyhounds that rallied in overtime, it was a Lewis comeback in regulation that forced bonus play. UIndy held a 70-67 advantage following an O'Neal steal and lay-up with 20 seconds left.

Bryant kept the Flyer fans in the stands, as the Batavia, Ill., native converted a game-tying, three-pointer from the left wing with 1.8 seconds to send the game into overtime.

Lewis returns to action on Monday (Jan. 17) afternoon, as the Flyers head to Kansas City to square off with Rockhurst for a 3:30 p.m. (CST) tip-off.

Lewis University is a Catholic university offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to approximately 6,000 traditional and adult students. Lewis offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis prepares ethically grounded, globally aware, and socially responsible graduates. The ninth largest not-for-profit university in Illinois, Lewis has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. Visit www.lewisu.edu for further information.

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