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PDF Box ScoreROMEOVILLE, Ill. – A 26-of-28 performance from the free throw line helped No. 2 Lewis women's basketball defeat Maryville 88-77 on Saturday (Jan. 10) afternoon at Neil Carey Arena in a Great Lakes Valley Conference contest. Reigning GLVC Player of the Year junior
Mariyah Brawner-Henley (Skokie, Ill./Niles North) led the way with a 12-of-12 performance from the stripe.
The win opens up the door for Lewis to move to No. 1 in next week's rankings as current No. 1 Emporia State fell to Central Missouri 62-61 on Saturday. Lewis and Florida Tech are the only two undefeated teams in the country. Indiana (PA) and Columbus State, the nation's other two undefeated teams, joined Emporia State in suffering their first lost of the season on Saturday.
While the Flyers never trailed in the contest and held a lead as large as 19, Maryville kept the Lewis lead to less than 10 for most of the final four minutes. The closest the Saints advanced was with 1:36 remaining at 80-76 following a 3-pointer by Shelby Miller. Senior
Nikki Nellen (New Berlin, Wis./Pius XI) was fouled on the next possession and drained both foul shots for the Flyers to increase the lead. Lewis made all 12 free throw attempts over the game's final five minutes.
"The difference was down the stretch we were able to knock down free throws," Lewis head coach
Lisa Carlsen said. "We did a good job of coming to the basketball. We had some kids really step up and step to the line and knock down some big shots."
Brawner-Henley finished with 18 points and nine rebounds. Junior
Jamie Johnson (South Holland, Ill./Marian Catholic) pitched in 30 points thanks to a season-high five 3-pointers. She also added seven rebounds, six assists, three blocks and a steal. Senior
Jess Reinhart (Normal, Ill./Bloomington Central Catholic) added 13 points and senior
Kristin Itschner (Metamora, Ill./Peoria Notre Dame) finished with 12.
Lewis recorded 19 assists on 27 baskets.
Maryville shot 43.4 percent (29-of-67) from the field to Lewis' 42.2 percent (27-of-64). It's just the second time this season Lewis has been out shot from the floor in a contest.
Maryville falls to 8-5 (2-2 GLVC). Lewis is 15-0 (5-0 GLVC). The Flyers have now won 31 straight at home and 23 straight GLVC home games. Lewis hosts McKendree on Thursday (Jan. 15) at 5:30 p.m.
