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Louisville, Ky. - No. 7 Bellarmine University erased a seven-point, second-half deficit to force overtime and held the Lewis University men's basketball team to without a field goal in the extra session, as the host Knights picked up the hard-fought 82-79 (OT) Great Lakes Valley Conference win over the visiting Flyers at Knights Hall on Thursday (Jan. 22) night.

With the victory, Bellarmine improves to 15-2 overall and 6-2 in GLVC action, while the Flyers drop to 12-5 on the campaign and 4-4 in conference action.

Bellarmine seniors Jake Thelen (18 rebounds) and Josh Sewell each scored a game-high 19 points to lead the Knights, followed by 14 points and two three-pointers from sophomore guard Rusty Troutman and 12 points and eight assists from senior guard Chris Whitehead.

Thelen nearly outrebounded the Flyers by himself as Lewis was outrebounded by Bellarmine, 42-22. The Knights also picked up 21 second chance points thanks to 21 total offensive rebounds on the evening.

Despite the rebounding difference, the Flyers gave Bellarmine all they could handle defensively. Lewis forced 20 turnovers and frustrated the Knights with their zone defense, scoring 22 points off of Bellarmine's miscues. 

Lewis senior guard Ryan Jackson (Bolingbrook, Ill./Riverside-Brookfield) collected a game-high 19 points, including a 9-for-10 performance from the free throw line. Flyer point guard Jeff Jarosz (Lyons, Ill./Morton) picked up 15 points and a team-best four assists, while freshman guard Max Strus (Hickory Hills, Ill./Stagg) drained three trifectas and finished with 13 points on the evening.

The Flyers led 67-60 with 7:42 remaining in the game following a Jackson three-pointer. Bellarmine, however, answered with a 12-4 run over the next 6:26 to take a 72-71 lead over the Flyers following a pair of free throws by Sewell.

Jackson hit a pair of free throws on the ensuing possession to give Lewis the 73-72 advantage with 1:03 left in the game. Sewell, however, responded with an offensive putback of a Troutman miss to help the Knights regain the lead at 74-73 lead with 39 ticks left.

Jackson drew a Sewell foul on Lewis' next possession and split both of his free throws with 24 seconds remaining in regulation to send the game into overtime.

Sewell scored four of Bellarmine's first seven points of overtime, as the Knights claimed a 81-79 lead over Lewis with 1:46 left in the extra session.

The Flyers were unable to even the score on their next possession, but were given new life as Bellarmine could not convert their chance to extend their lead with 59 seconds left, as Strus blocked a Thelen jumper.

On Lewis' next possession, Jackson was whistled for an offensive foul, giving the ball back to Bellarmine with 44 seconds remaining.

The Knights returned the favor as Sewell lost the ball on a drive to the hoop with 12 seconds left, giving the basketball back to the Flyers.

Lewis head men's basketball coach Scott Trost called a time-out and set up a play for Strus. Strus' go-ahead three-point attempt from the corner was short, as Sewell gathered in the rebound to secure the victory for the Knights.

"(Bellarmine) made one more play than we did," Trost said. "I'm really proud of our players, because tonight was a great college basketball game."

Lewis returns to the hardwood on Saturday (Jan. 24), as the Flyers head to Evansville for a 3 PM tip-off against Southern Indiana.