Box Score (PDF) / Box Score (HTML)

Romeoville, Ill. - After losing two games at home last week, the Lewis University men's basketball team wanted to prove that last week's performance was not indicative of things to come for the Flyers.

Point proven.

The Flyers shot 58.2% (34-for-58) from the floor and never looked back, as Lewis posted a season-high in points with the 97-70 Great Lakes Valley Conference victory over McKendree at Neil Carey Arena on Thursday (Jan. 15) night.

"I thought our energy was better tonight and we came out with more purpose," Lewis head men's basketball coach Scott Trost said. "(Winning this game) is a good thing for us and our guys feel good about themselves again." 

"I told them, it's how you respond to adversity and hopefully what we went through (last week) will make us better and stronger (as a team)."

Lewis set a season-high with 34 field goals and tied a season-high with 11 three-pointers. The Flyers drained a season-high 90% (18-for-20) of their free throw attempts, while dishing out a season-high 21 assists.

Lewis freshman guard Max Strus (Hickory Hills, Ill./Stagg) tied a season-high with 24 points and drained a team-season best five three-pointers in the win. Senior guard Ryan Jackson (Bolingbrook, Ill./Riverside-Brookfield) narrowly missed a double-double with 14 points and a career-high nine assists, while senior forward David Niggins (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) connected on three trifectas to finish with 14 points.

Lewis senior guard Jeff Jarosz (Lyons, Ill./Morton) netted 13 points and a career-high seven assists, while senior forward Julian Lewis (Flossmoor, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) tied a team-season high with 11 rebounds.

With the victory, Lewis improves to 11-3 on the season and 3-2 in GLVC action, while the visiting Bearcats drop to 8-5 on the campaign and 1-4 in conference play.

McKendree senior guard Logan Carson topped the Bearcats with 16 points in the loss. Senior forward Matt Holmes posted 14 points with a team-best eight rebounds, followed by 12 points from junior guard John Murphy and 10 points from sophomore guard Michael Jackson.

Lewis returns to action on Saturday (Jan. 17), as the Flyers welcome UIS to Neil Carey Arena for a 3 PM tip-off.