Rockhurst Game Notes (PDF)

Romeoville, Ill. - After spending seven of their previous nine contests away from home, the No. 22 Lewis University men's basketball team returns to the friendly confines of Neil Carey Arena, as the Flyers (16-3, 8-3 GLVC) host Rockhurst (5-13, 1-10 GLVC) for a 7:30 PM tip-off on Thursday (Feb. 6) night.    
   Live stats, audio and video streaming of Thursday's contest can be found at www.LewisFlyers.com and can also be heard on WJOL (1340 AM) with Mark Vasko providing the play-by-play action for the Lewis Sports Network. The game can also be found on WLRA (88.1 FM).

ALL TIME SERIES - Since Lewis entered the Division II ranks, the Flyers hold a 6-5 advantage over Rockhurst in their all-time series.

LAST TIME WE MET - Lewis scored 32 of the game's first 40 points and cruised to the 87-52 GLVC win over Rockhurst at Neil Carey Arena on January 12, 2013.

LAST TIME OUT - No. 17 Lewis, led by a game-high 28 points from junior guard Ryan Jackson (Bolingbrook, Ill./Riverside-Brookfield), out-rebounded Saint Joseph's 40-23 and converted 85.7% (30-for-35) of their free throw attempts in the Flyers' 85-76 win over the Pumas on Saturday (Feb. 1) in Rensselaer, Ind.

CHARITY STRIPE - Lewis shot 93.5% (29-for-31) from the free throw line against Quincy on January 5, 2014. That is their best shooting performance since they hit all six of their attempts against Illinois-Springfield on December 6, 2004.

CHARITY STRIPE (PART DEUX) - Lewis is averaging 30.6 free throw attempts over their last three contests.

DOUBLE-DOUBLE - Lewis has recorded nine double-doubles this season. That is the most double-doubles by a Flyer squad since they had nine during the 2009-10 campaign.

TRIPLE THREAT - Jackson led the Flyers in points (21), rebounds (9) and assists (4) against Quincy on January 5th. That is the second time this season and the fifth time in his career that he has accomplished that feat.

EXTRA BASKETBALL - Lewis has played in two overtime games this season which is the most since the 2011-12 campaign. The last time the Flyers had three games with bonus basketball came during the 2007-08 campaign when they had four OT contests.

STREAKIN' - Lewis is currently riding a 12-game winning streak at Neil Carey Arena dating back to last season. That is the Flyers' longest home-winning streak since they went 14 straight contests without a loss to begin the 2003-04 campaign.  

SMOKIN' HOT - Lewis has won 24 of its last 29 contests dating back to the 2012-13 campaign for a winning percentage of .828. During that stretch, the Flyers have defeated five teams that were ranked in the NABC/Division II Men's Basketball Poll.

MODEL OF EFFICIENCY - Lewis took a conference-low 36 shots against Northern Michigan (Nov. 24) and added a 38-shot performance against Bellarmine (Jan. 25) and came away with victories in both games. The Flyers went to the free throw line a combined 80 times and converted 72.5% (58-for-80) of their attempts.

MODEL OF EFFICIENCY (PART DEUX) - Lewis shot a GLVC-best, 67.4% (29-for-43) from the field in their win over Malone on Dec. 21st. That is the best outing by a Flyer squad since they converted 69.4% (34-for-49) of their attempts in an 84-65 win over Illinois-Springfield on December 6, 2004.

TAKING CARE OF THE ROCK - As of February 3rd, Lewis is second in the country in fewest turnovers (172) and is third overall in turnovers-per-game (9.1). The Flyers have had 10 games this season with less than 10 turnovers.

TAKING CARE OF THE ROCK (PART DEUX) - Lewis joined five other teams in Division II this season with two or fewer turnovers in a game this season as they turned the ball over a mere two times against Southern Indiana (Jan. 23).

NATIONALLY RANKED - Lewis moved down five spots in the NABC/Division II Coaches Poll on Tuesday (Feb. 4) ranking 22nd in the country.

PROUD PROGRAM - Lewis University is one of eight Division II schools in the country that has both their men's and women's basketball programs ranked in the Top 25. The Flyer women's team checked in at No. 16 in the USA TODAY Sports Division II Coaches Poll released on Tuesday (Feb.4).

COMEBACK KIDS - Lewis has trailed in the second half in eight of its 16 victories this season.

CLOSE CALLS - Lewis is 3-0 in games decided by five points or less this season. Last season, the Flyers were 4-4 in games decided by five points or less.

RANKED SCHMANKED - Lewis has defeated at least one nationally-ranked team in each of the last four seasons.

MINUTE MEN - Jackson and junior forward Julian Lewis (Flossmoor, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) are ranked third and sixth in the GLVC in minutes played. Jackson is averaging 34.3 minutes-per-game, while Lewis is on the court for 33.4 minutes-per-contest.

ICE IN HIS VEINS - Lewis senior guard Nick Valla (Tinley Park, Ill./Marist) is shooting 86.7% (26-for-30) from the free throw line with less than two minutes remaining this season.

GETTING TO THE LINE - Lewis is 8-0 over the past two seasons when Jackson gets to the free throw line at least 10 times.

QUICK OUT OF THE GATES - With a win against Rockhurst on Thursday, Lewis is off to its best start to the season since the 2003-04 squad was 18-2 in their first 20 contests.