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Saginaw, Mich. – Sophomore Jess Reinhart (Normal, Ill./Bloomington Central Catholic) kicked off the 2012-13 season with a double-double as she led the Lewis University women's basketball team to a 70-60 victory over Saginaw Valley State in the GLVC/GLIAC Challenge on Saturday (Nov. 10). Reinhart had 19 points and 16 rebounds in 33 minutes of action.
 
The Flyers go to 1-0 on the season, while the Cardinals fall to 0-1.
 
“We did a great job on the glass,” Lewis head women's basketball coach Lisa Carlsen said. “When we got back to the basics, we can rebound and get out and go.”
 
Lewis out rebounded Saginaw Valley State 56-35, pulling down 20 offensive rebounds.
 
In the first half, the Flyers took a 6-5 lead at 15:12 when Sam Rinehart (Marion, Iowa/Marion) scored and held the lead until the Cardinals' Briana Graham tied the game at 18-all at 6:19.
 
The rest of the first half, the teams battled back and forth, with Saginaw Valley State taking a 30-27 lead into half.
 
At the start of the second half the Flyers offense stalled a bit, but Carlsen called a time out at 14:46 that led to two straight scoring opportunities to tie the game at 40-all.
 
The squad was able to pull away late in the game when Kristen Itschner (Metamora, Ill./Peoria Notre Dame) scored to break the 52-52 tie at 7:24. Lewis was able to steadily build a 10-point lead to win the game 70-60.
 
Sophomore guard Nikki Nellen (New Berlin, Wis./Pius XI) scored 10 points, pulled down four rebounds and dished out four assists. Senior Labrenthia Murdock (Round Lake, Ill./Round Lake) scored 12 points, including going 3-for-3 at the free throw line, had four rebounds, two blocks and two assists.
 
Kayla Womack came off the bench to led Saginaw Valley State with 15 points. 

“We were able to see Northwood play really well against Saint Joseph's before our game,” Carlsen said. “Tomorrow will be a good match up for us.”

Lewis will take on Northwood to start the second day of the GLVC/GLIAC Challenge at 1 PM in Saginaw, Mich.