Romeoville, Ill. – The Lewis University women's basketball team battled back from a 13-point deficit for a 77-65 victory over Bellarmine in Great Lakes Valley Conference action on Thursday (Feb. 14) at Neil Carey Arena.  

The Flyers improve to 17-5 on the year and 10-4 in the GLVC while the Knights fall to 17-8 on the season and 7-7 in league play.

The Flyers found themselves down 13 to the Knights just over two minutes into the second half. Lewis raised their intensity on the defensive end, putting together a 20-6 run to take the lead, 51-50, capped by a sophomore guard Nikki Nellen (New Berlin, Wis./Pius XI) (New Berlin, Wis./Pius XI) three pointer at 11:49. The Flyers were led by sophomore forward Jess Reinhart (Normal, Ill./Bloomington Central Catholic)'s (Normal, Ill./Bloomington Central Catholic) nine points during the run.

Lewis picked up nine of their 11 steals in the second half, which allowed the team to keep up their fast-pace offense. The Flyers also held the Knights away from the free throw line, allowing them to the line six (5-of-6) times whole game. 

“In the second half we were able to pick up our intensity on defense,” Lewis head women's basketball coach Lisa Carlsen said. “When we are able to play strong defense and rebound, it makes it easier on the offensive end for us.”

The squads exchanged the lead twice before Lewis was able build their lead to a game-high 15 points on a layup by senior guard Labrenthia Murdock (Round Lake, Ill./Round Lake) (Round Lake, Ill./Round Lake) to push the score to 74-59 with 2:46 left in the game. 

In the first half, the Knights built a 12-point lead with twenty seconds left in half to take a 40-30 lead into the locker room.

Reinhart led the Flyers with a game-high 22 points, four rebounds with two blocked shots and a steal. Murdock chipped in 18 points, eight rebounds and season-high five steals. 

Bellarmine had three players in double figures led by Betsy Goodin with 15 points. Kylie Brady chipped in 12 while Darion Hutchinson added 10 points.

Lewis will next host McKendree on Saturday (Feb. 16) at Neil Carey Arena for their second Play 4Kay pink game. The Flyers will be selling pink t-shirts for $10 during Saturday's game as well. The game will benefit the Kay Yow Foundation with the common goal of promoting breast cancer awareness and finding a cure. Tip off is set for 5 PM.