Box Score  / Olivet Nazarene Box Score (PDF)

Romeoville, Ill. - The Lewis University men's basketball team spun its wheels in the opening half of their contest against Olivet Nazarene, but they kicked it into gear in the final 20 minutes on their way to the 79-64 non-conference victory over the Tigers in the season opener at Neil Carey Arena on Monday (Nov. 11) night.

"I thought that we were sluggish in the first half and didn't execute defensively," Lewis head men's basketball coach Scott Trost said. "We played well and did a lot of good things offensively in the second half.

"Overall, it was a good win and a great tape to learn from," Trost continued. "We just have to keep making progress and keep getting better."

Lewis junior guard Ryan Jackson (Bolingbrook, Ill./Riverside-Brookfield) led all scorers with 24 points, including a 12-for-13 outing from the free throw line. Junior forward Julian Lewis (Flossmoor, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) finished with 19 points, eight rebounds and five blocks, while point guard Jeff Jarosz (Lyons, Ill./Morton) pitched in 12 points, three steals and two assists.

As a team, Lewis was lethal from the charity stripe, as the Flyers knocked down 91.7% (22-for-24) of their attempts, including a perfect 16-for-16 in the second half.

Olivet Nazarene junior guard Austin Davis paced the Tigers with 22 points, including six three-pointers. Sophomore forward Aaron Larson had 12 points and a team-best seven rebounds, while sophomore center Zach Wagner had 10 points.

Davis was the catalyst for the TIgers in the first half, as he drained five three-pointers and finished with 19 points to give ONU the 37-36 advantage at the break.

The Flyers, however would hold Davis to three points and ONU to a 29.0% (9-for-31) shooting performance in the second half. Larson would give the Tigers their final lead of the game at 44-42 with a three-pointer at the 17:38 mark of the second half. 
 
Lewis would answer Larson's trifecta with a 21-7 run over the next 8:20 to take a 63-51 lead with 9:18 left in the contest. Jackson led the run with 10 points for the lead that the Flyers would never relinquish.

As a team, Lewis shot 48.2% (27-for-56) from the field and held a 46-16 points in the paint advantage over Olivet Nazarene.

Lewis returns to action on November 20th, as the Flyers will welcome in-region opponent Ferris State to Neil Carey Arene for a 7:30 PM tip-off.