Box Score  / Box Score (PDF)

Romeoville, Ill. - Lewis University senior guard Chris McClellan (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Wheeling) (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Wheeling) scored 10 of his 19 points in overtime, including the game-tying trifecta in the first session, to lift the host Flyers to the 89-85 double overtime victory over Illinois-Springfield at Neil Carey Arena on Saturday (Jan. 14) night.

McClellan tied a team-season high with six assists and no turnovers, along with five rebounds on the evening. McClellan's back court mate Ryan Jackson (Bolingbrook, Ill./Riverside-Brookfield) (Bolingbrook, Ill./Riverside-Brookfield) added 17 points in the win.

"It's great to get a close win, but we didn't make it easy on ourselves," Lewis head men's basketball coach Scott Trost said. "Our kids never quit and we found a way to win and hit some big shots."

The Flyer bench was especially productive as they outscored UIS, 37-15. Lewis senior forward Matt Toth (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) posted a team and season-high 22 points on 9-for-12 shooting, while sophomore guard Nick Valla (Tinley Park, Ill./Marist) (Tinley Park, Ill./Marist/Missouri State) collected a season-high 12 points - all of which came in the second half.

"(Our bench) played great for us tonight," Trost said. "I thought (Matt and Nick) hit some huge shots for us, but that's the thing about our bench.

"Every night it could be someone different and I think we've shown that."

With the win, Lewis improves to 10-4 on the season and 2-4 in GLVC action, while the visiting Prairie Stars are now 6-9 on the campaign and 3-3 in conference play.

UIS senior guard Jermaine Love-Roberts scored a game-high 23 points on 10-for-19 shooting to lead the Prairie Stars. Prairie Star forwards West Dawson (20 points) and Michael Fakuade (17 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks) combined for 37 points on 16-for-23 shooting. UIS senior guard Lester Hart added 10 points in the loss.

Lewis seemed to have the game wrapped up in regulation, as the Flyers held a 66-63 lead over UIS with 10 seconds left, following a pair of McClellan free throws. UIS, however, wanted to play some bonus basketball, as junior guard Kevin Pettiford knocked down a three-pointer to send the game into overtime with the score tied at 66.

Despite the game-tying shot by Pettiford, Lewis took control in the opening minutes of overtime, as they scored seven of the first 10 points and held a 73-69 lead with 3:25 left, following a Toth three-pointer.

UIS, however, went on an 8-1 run over the next three minutes to take a 77-74 lead with 18 seconds left, following a pair of free throws by Love-Roberts. Love-Roberts accounted for five of UIS' eight tallies during this stretch.

McClellan, who had missed his first seven three-point attempts, saved his best for last, as he drained a step-back trifecta with 11 seconds remaining to even the score at 77 and send the game into its second overtime.

The Flyers jumped out to an 82-77 lead over UIS with 4:04 left in the second OT following a jumper from Toth and McClellan's second three-pointer of the evening.

UIS would draw within one at 82-81, following a lay-up from Pettiford and a jumper from Love-Roberts with 2:57 left in the extra session.

Following Love-Roberts' jumper, McClellan would draw a foul from Dawson and convert both of his charity shots to extend Lewis' advantage to 84-81 with 2:36 remaining.

On the ensuing possession, Pettiford would attempt to tie the game with another three-point attempt, but was unable to convert. Jackson grabbed the rebound and would later put the dagger in the Prairie Stars with 1:37 remaining with his second three-pointer of the night to give Lewis the 87-81 advantage. 

Lewis returns to action on Monday (Jan. 16), as the Flyers welcome UW-Parkside to Neil Carey Arena for a 7:45 p.m. (CST) tip-off.