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Romeoville, Ill. - The Lewis University men's basketball had their best shooting game of the season, but the Flyers could not overcome a season-high 18 turnovers, as No. 22 UW-Parkside claimed the 69-65 Great Lakes Valley Conference win at Neil Carey Arena on Monday (Jan. 19) night.
The Flyers shot 61.0% (25-for-41) from the field and 41.7% (5-for-12) from long range. UW-Parkside, however, was able to score 20 points off of the Flyer miscues.
Lewis freshman guard
Max Strus (Hickory Hills, Ill./Stagg) topped the Flyers with 21 points - including 17 in the second half - on 9-for-12 shooting and added seven rebounds in the loss. The nine baskets were a team-season high for the Flyers. Senior guard
Gabe Williams (Chicago, Ill./Farragut) came off the bench and scored 13 points on 6-for-7 shooting.
With the victory, UW-Parkside improves to 15-1 overall and 7-0 in GLVC action, while the host Flyers drop to 12-4 on the campaign and 4-3 in conference play.
UW-Parkside senior forward Zygimantas Riauka collected a game-high 23 points, followed by 16 points and three trifectas from junior guard Andy Mazurczak and 15 points and two treys from junior guard Jimmy Gavin.
In a game that featured 13 lead changes and 10 ties, the Rangers held their biggest lead of the game at 54-44 following a Jordan Mach three-pointer at the 14:23 mark.
Mach's basket would be the last field goal that the Rangers would record for the next 12 minutes as the Flyers went on a 21-10 run to take a 65-64 lead with 2:05 remaining in the contest. Strus scored 12 points during that stretch to pace the Flyers.
Gavin answered on the Rangers' next possession as he hit a three-pointer with 1:37 left in the game to help UWP regain the lead at 67-65. That was just the second field goal of the final 14 minutes for the Rangers.
Lewis senior guard
Ryan Jackson (Bolingbrook, Ill./Riverside-Brookfield) was fouled on the Flyers' next possession, sending him to the free throw line for the 1-and-1. Jackson (6 points) missed the front end and Riauka grabbed the board.
The Flyers had another chance to tie the game, as Mach missed a three-pointer and his rebound went out of bounds, giving Lewis the ball with 43 seconds remaining in regulation.
Mach, however, redeemed himself as he stripped Strus and immediately passed the ball to Mazurczak, who was fouled with 19 seconds left. Mazurczak split his free throws, giving the Rangers the 68-65 lead with the Flyers in possession.
Lewis called time out, setting up a potential game-tying three-point attempt. Mach, however, would have none of that, as he forced another Strus turnover helping clinch the victory for the Rangers.
For the game, UW-Parkside shot 42.6% (23-for-54) from the field and 30.4% (7-for-23) from three-point range.
"When you give up 18 turnovers and that many possessions, it's tough to beat a really good team," Lewis head men's basketball coach
Scott Trost said. "When you hold someone to 42% shooting and 30% from three-point range, generally you have a shot at winning, but 18 turnovers is not going to get it done."
Lewis returns to action on Thursday (Jan. 22), as they head to Louisville to square off with No. 4 Bellarmine for a 7:30 PM (ET) tip-off.