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Romeoville, Ill. – The No. 18 Lewis University women's basketball team opened the year with a balanced attack as five players scored in double-figures in the Flyers' 82-76 victory over Saginaw Valley State on Saturday (Nov. 9) at Neil Carey Arena.
 
The Flyers move to 1-0 on the year while the Cardinals fall to 0-1.
 
"Tonight was a great way to start the season," Lewis head women's basketball coach Lisa Carlsen said. "We had some key possessions down the stretch where we were able to maintain our composure, knock down free throws and get stops when we needed them."
 
Lewis sophomore forward Mariyah Brawner-Henley (Skokie, Ill./Niles North) led the squad with a double-double of 24 points and 11 rebounds while blocking two shots. Redshirt sophomore guard Jamie Johnson (South Holland, Ill./Marian Catholic) had 15 points, seven assists and three steals.
 
Flyers' redshirt senior forward Lauren Mead (Wauconda, Ill./Wauconda) had 12 points and four rebounds while junior forward Jess Reinhart (Normal, Ill./Bloomington Central Catholic) chipped in 12 points and nine rebounds. Junior guard Kristin Itschner (Metamora, Ill./Peoria Notre Dame) tallied 10 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals, while classmate Nikki Nellen (New Berlin, Wis./Pius XI) had seven assists and seven points.
 
The Flyers out-rebounded the Cardinals, 42-36, and collected nine more assists, 21-12.
 
In the up-tempo contest, Saginaw Valley State held their biggest lead at 13-6 after going on an eight-point run at 12:58 in the first half. The Flyers were able to regain the lead and extend it to five points at 23-18 on a Brawner-Henley lay-up at 7:14.
 
The squads exchanged two ties before Lewis was able to shake Saginaw Valley State and take a 38-35 lead into the locker room.
 
In the second half, the Flyers' lead ballooned to nine points at 53-44 on a Reinhart lay-up at the 14:05 mark. The Cardinals had a 17-to-8 run over five minutes of action in the middle of the half that gave SVSU a brief 62-61 lead at 7:41.
 
Lewis was able to regain the momentum and push their lead to eight at 80-72, as Brawner-Henley sank two free throws with a 1:06 left in the game. Johnson made two free throws with 15 seconds left to seal the Flyers 82-76 victory.
 
Saginaw Valley State was led by Kristen Greene's 22 points, while Kayla Womack chipped in 15 points. Samantha Zirzow had 12 points and eight rebounds off the bench while Danielle Carriere tallied 11 points.
 
The Flyers are back in action against Northwood on Sunday (Nov. 10) at 3:30 PM at Neil Carey Arena.