Box Score  / UIS Box Score (PDF)

Springfield, Ill. - The No. 23 Lewis University men's basketball team is off to its best start in 10 seasons, as the Flyers claimed the 86-73 Great Lakes Valley Conference road victory over Illinois Springfield at The Recreation and Athletic Center on Saturday (Jan. 18) afternoon.

With the win, Lewis improves to 13-1 overall and 5-1 in conference play, while the host Prairie Stars drop to 5-9 on the campaign and 1-5 in conference play. The Flyers opened the 2003-04 campaign winning 16 out of their first 17 contests.The victory also marks the Flyers' seventh road triumph of the season, matching the most wins away from Neil Carey Arena under head coach Scott Trost.

"Experience always helps on the road and we certainly have that," Trost said of his team's abilities away from home.

Lewis junior forward Julian Lewis (Flossmoor, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) led all scorers with a game-high 20 points and eight rebounds, while junior guard Jeff Jarosz (Lyons, Ill./Morton) finished with 16 points on 5-for-6 shooting. Senior guard Nick Valla (Tinley Park, Ill./Marist) finished with 10 points and junior forward David Niggins (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) came off the bench to score 10 points and connect on two treys.

UIS junior forward Dylan Sparkman topped the Prairie Stars with a game-high 20 points and added six rebounds. The Prairie Stars received 14 points and three treys from sophomore forward Dusko Despot, 12 points and a game-high eight rebounds from freshman guard Mark Weems, Jr. UIS senior guard Regan Bruenger chipped in 10 points.

Lewis was in control for much of the game, but put the game out of reach with a 22-3 run over the final 6:41 of the the first half, as the Flyers took a 47-27 lead into the intermission. Lewis scored 11 of his 20 points for the Flyers during that stretch.

"I thought we played about as good as we could play in the first half," Trost said. "I knew UIS would make a run, but we responded for the most part."

The Flyers shot 56.6% (30-for-53) from the field and 43.5% (10-for-23) from long range against UIS. Seven different Flyers hit at least one three-pointer. Lewis also tied a season-high with 19 assists, as Jarosz, Valla and junior guard Ryan Jackson (Bolingbrook, Ill./Riverside-Brookfield) each had a game-high five assists.

Once again, the Flyers took care of the ball, as they turned the ball over eight times, marking the ninth time this season that Lewis has had less than 10 miscues.

Lewis returns to action on Monday (Jan. 20) evening, as they head to Somers, Wis., to square off with GLVC East-leading UW-Parkside for a 7:30 PM tip-off at Desimone Gymnasium.