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ROMEOVILLE, Ill. - Thanks to a 46-point second half the Lewis women's basketball team defeated Southern Indiana 72-53 on Thursday evening at Neil Carey Arena in the first Great Lakes Valley Conference game of the season for both teams.

Junior Sam Rinehart (Marion, Iowa/Marion) (Marion, Iowa/Marion) took advantage of her first start of the season by scoring 12 of Lewis' 26 first half points. The Flyers struggled from the floor in the opening half but made up for it with 10-of-13 shooting from the stripe. The Screaming Eagles only had two free throw attempts in the first half. The Flyers' advantage at the line helped Lewis to a 26-25 halftime lead.

The Flyers opened the second half on an 18-3 run. Freshman Jamie Johnson (South Holland, Ill./Marian Catholic) (South Holland, Ill./Marion Catholic) had seven of Lewis' first nine points in the second. A 3-point play by freshman Jess Reinhart (Normal, Ill./Bloomington Central Catholic) (Normal, Ill./Bloomington Central Catholic) made the score 40-28. The transition basket was keyed by a block by sophomore Lauren Mead (Wauconda, Ill./Wauconda) (Wauconda, Ill./Wauconda) on the other end. The Flyers never looked back from there.

The push was helped by improved Lewis defense in the second half. USI made five of their first nine shots in the game but only six of their next 35 attempts.

Lewis limited USI leading scorer Anna Hackert to just two points. The Flyers forced Hackert into early foul trouble as she fouled out with 10 minutes left in the game.

Lewis' Johnson led all scorers with 17 points.

“You expect freshmen to panic in stressful spots, but I think Jamie thrives in that situation,” head coach Lisa Carlsen said of Johnson's play.

Rinehart added a career-high 16 points and eight rebounds.

“Sam really took advantage of her opportunity today and played like we need her to play,” Carlsen said of Rinehart.

Senior Madeline Kish (Oak Forest, Ill./Sandburg) (Oak Forest, Ill./Sandburg/Eastern Illinois) scored 12 points thanks to 3-of-4 shooting from beyond the arc. Kish added six assists.

Lewis finished 44.9 percent (22-of-49) from the floor while limiting USI to 33.3 percent (21-of-63) shooting.

USI falls to 5-2 (0-1 GLVC). Lewis improves to 3-3 (1-0 GLVC). The Flyers continue GLVC play on Saturday with a 1 p.m. tip against Kentucky Wesleyan at Neil Carey Arena.