Box Score (PDF) / Box Score (HTML)

Romeoville, Ill .- In a game that featured 14 ties and 12 lead changes, the Lewis University men's basketball team went on an 11-3 run over the final four minutes to earn the 84-77 Great Lakes Valley Conference victory over Southern Indiana at Neil Carey Arena on Thursday (Jan. 21) night.

Lewis junior guard Miles Simelton (Oswego, Ill./Oswego) scored four of his 16 points during that stretch, followed by three points from freshman guard Delaney Blaylock (Wyoming, Mich./Godwin Heights). Blaylock finished the contest with 12 points and seven rebounds.

Lewis sophomore forward Max Strus (Hickory Hills, Ill./Stagg) finished the game with 24 points, while senior forward Kyle Nelson (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North) posted 21 points on 9-for-13 shooting, including a game-high five assists. This marks the second-straight game that both Strus and Nelson have reached the 20-point plateau. Freshman center Frank Vukaj (Davison, Mich./Davison) narrowly missed a double-double with eight points and 10 rebounds.

"We competed for 40 minutes and sustained a great effort," Lewis head men's basketball coach Scott Trost said. "Everyone who played (tonight) made impactful plays.

"It was a good team win and I'm proud of our guys."

With the victory, Lewis improves to 13-5 overall and 5-3 in conference play, while the visiting Screaming Eagles drop to 13-5 on the campaign and 5-3 in GLVC action. 

USI junior guard Bobo Drummond topped four Screaming Eagles in double-figures with 22 points, including five three-pointers. Screaming Eagles junior forward T.J. Tisdell and junior guard Jeril Taylor each scored 13 points in the loss, while freshman guard Alex Stein chipped in 12 points. Drummond and Taylor combined to hit seven three-pointers in the first half, but USI shot just 14.3% (2-for-14) from beyond the arc in the final stanza.

While the Screaming Eagles were hot shooters in the first half, they cooled off in the final 20 minutes, hitting only 32.3% (10-for-31) of their attempts. Lewis, who was held to 42.4% (14-for-33) shooting in the first half, hit 51.9% (14-for-27) of its attempts in the second half.

Lewis returns to action on Saturday (Jan. 23), as the Flyers welcome No. 6 ranked Bellarmine to Neil Carey Arena for a 3 PM tip-off.