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Romeoville, Ill. - For much of the season, the Lewis University men's basketball team had been not only searching for a way to close out games, but its first Great Lakes Valley Conference victory as well.

Lewis accomplished both on Thursday (Jan. 12) night, as the Flyers went on a 27-11 run over the final 8:52, led by nine points from senior center Marty Strus (Hickory Hills, Ill./Stagg) (Hickory Hills, Ill./Stagg), to earn the 75-59 win over Quincy at Neil Carey Arena.

Strus finished with a double-double, including a season-high 12 points and a team-season high 13 rebounds. Flyer freshman guard Ryan Jackson (Bolingbrook, Ill./Riverside-Brookfield) (Bolingbrook, Ill./Riverside-Brookfield) posted a game-high 18 points, including a season-high four three-pointers.

Lewis freshman forward Julian Lewis (Flossmoor, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) (Flossmoor, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) added 12 points, while sophomore Nick Valla (Tinley Park, Ill./Marist) (Tinley Park, Ill./Marist/Missouri State) came off the bench and hit three trifectas to finish with a season-high 11 points. Senior Lonnie Lawrence (Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington) (Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington) posted seven points, five assists and a season-high 11 rebounds in the win.

Lawrence and Strus combined for 24 of the Flyers' 44 rebounds, nearly matching Quincy's 27 total caroms.

"It's a great feeling," Lewis head men's basketball coach Scott Trost said of the win. "I'm proud of our guys because we closed out and finished this game.

"We're very close, we're right there," Trost continued. "Hopefully a win like this will give our guys some confidence."

With the win, Lewis improves to 9-4 on the season and 1-4 in conference play, while the visiting Hawks are now 9-4 on the campaign and 2-3 in GLVC action.

Six different players scored for the Flyers down the stretch, led by Strus' nine tallies. Lawrence added five of his seven points, followed by four from senior guard Chris McClellan (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Wheeling) (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Wheeling) and Lewis. Jackson had three points, while Valla knocked down a lay-up.

It was a well played game by the Flyers as they committed a mere 13 fouls and tied a team-season low with 10 turnovers on the evening.

Quincy senior Justin Brock led the Hawks with 14 points and six rebounds, while classmate Courtney Belger chipped in 11 points and five assists.

Lewis returns to action on Saturday (Jan. 14), as they welcome UIS to Neil Carey Arena for a 7:45 p.m. (CST) tip-off.