Box Score (HTML) / Box Score (PDF)

Romeoville, Ill. - The Lewis University men's basketball team concluded its non-conference campaign on a high note, as the Flyers collected the 76-54 victory over local rival St. Francis (Ill.), at Neil Carey Arena on Saturday (Dec. 20) afternoon, to extend their winning streak to five games.

The Flyers improve to 8-1 on the campaign, while St. Francis falls to 10-4.

Lewis senior guard Jeff Jarosz (Lyons, Ill./Morton) and junior forward Brad Foster (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way Central) each scored 14 points and combined to shoot 12-for-15 from the floor to pace the Flyer offensive attack. Jarosz converted 5-of-7 of his attempts, including two three-pointers, while Foster knocked down 7-for-8 of his shots and added a career-best four blocks. Foster's 14 points were also a career-best.

Lewis seniors Ryan Jackson (Bolingbrook, Ill./Riverside-Brookfield) and Julian Lewis (Flossmoor, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) each scored nine points in the win, while Lewis added a team-season high 11 rebounds. 11 different Lewis players scored in the victory.

"St. Francis is a good team, and for us to come out and play like that is a good sign as we head into the Christmas break," Lewis head men's basketball coach Scott Trost said. "I'm happy with the win and I'm proud of our guys."

Lewis' 11 boards helped the Flyers to a 41-27 advantage over the Saints on the glass and they dominated on the post, outscoring USF, 44-16 in the paint. Lewis' bench, led by Foster's 14 points, outscored St. Francis' 38-18. As a team, Lewis shot 50.0% (30-for-60) from the field, marking the seventh time in nine games that the Flyers have made half of their shots

Lewis was strong on the defensive end, as the Flyers forced 17 turnovers and held St. Francis to 34.5% (19-for-55) shooting from the floor. The Fighting Saints miscues led to 19 Flyer points.

USF junior forward Illya Ilyayev pitched in a game-high 15 points, including three trifectas, while junior center Jens Kennedy added 13 points and three treys in the loss.

Lewis returns to action on January 2nd, as the Flyers open the Great Lakes Valley Conference campaign on the road against Quincy (7:30 PM).