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PDF BoxALLENDALE, Mich. - No. 2 Lewis women's basketball saw their five-game win streak to open the season come to an end on Wednesday (Nov. 25) evening at Grand Valley State in a 71-63 setback to the Lakers at the GVSU Fieldhouse.
The loss snaps an 18-game regular season non-conference win streak dating back to Nov. 24, 2013 for the Flyers.
The first half was close until a 9-0 run by the Lakers to close the half put them up 39-28 at the break. The Flyers were hurt by a 21-15 rebounding edge in the first half by Lakers, which GVSU used to hold a 13-5 edge in second chance points in initial 20 minutes.
GVSU built their lead to as large as 16 points at 55-39 with 1:57 left in the third quarter. Lewis responded with 13 straight points to make it a game again. However Lewis would get no closer than the 55-52 margin.
Senior
Jamie Johnson (South Holland, Ill./Marian Catholic) led Lewis with 19 points and six rebounds. Senior
Mariyah Brawner-Henley (Skokie, Ill./Niles North) pitched in 12 points and seven rebounds. Freshman
Tierney Lockett (Richton Park, Ill./Rich South) added 12 points. Freshman
Jessica Kelliher (Waukesha, Wis./Waukesha North) recorded 11 points.
Both clubs shot around 40 percent, but the difference came at the line and the arc. GVSU nailed 10 3-pointers to Lewis' five. The Lakers also earned more trips to the charity stripe, making 13-of-17 compared to Lewis' 4-of-8.
"Give all the credit to Grand Valley State," Lewis head coach
Kristen Gillespie said. "They were tougher than us for 40 minutes. It is a lesson that no matter what is happening on the offensive end, we cannot let it affect our effort on the boards or on defense."
GVSU improves to 3-1. Lewis falls to 5-1. Lewis returns to the court on Sunday (Nov. 29) against Ferris State. Tip at Neil Carey Arena is set for 1 p.m. Fans are encouraged to bring a new unwrapped toy for Toys For Tots.