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Springfield, Ill. - Momentum was not often on the side of the Lewis University men's basketball team against Illinois Springfield, but the Flyers took grasp of it when they could and earned the 88-80 (2 OT) Great Lakes Valley Conference victory over the host Prairie Stars at the TRAC on Thursday (Jan. 28) night.

UIS had rallied from an 11-point second half deficit in regulation to force the first overtime. The Prairie Stars also erased a four-point deficit with four seconds left in overtime to force a second extra session.

From that point on, it was all Flyers as they scored the first seven points of the second overtime for a lead they would never relinquish.

Lewis junior guard Miles Simelton (Oswego, Ill./Oswego) finished with a game-high 33 points and was 17-for-21 from the free throw line, including 15-for-18 from the stripe in the overtime periods. 

The Flyers also received double-doubles from senior forward Kyle Nelson (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North) and sophomore forward Max Strus (Hickory Hills, Ill./Stagg). Nelson tallied 22 points and 10 rebounds on 9-for-13 shooting, while Strus posted 15 points, 11 rebounds and six assists before fouling out in regulation.

"We gutted out a win (tonight)," Lewis head men's basketball coach Scott Trost said. "We fought every possession and found a way.

"Miles (Simelton) was big for us and I thought Kyle (Nelson) showed great leadership tonight," Trost continued. "It was a great team win."

With the win, Lewis improves to 14-6 overall and 6-4 in GLVC action, while the host Prairie Stars are now 8-12 on the campaign and 2-8 in conference play. The victory is also Lewis' first double overtime win since they defeated UIS, 89-85, at Neil Carey Arena on January 14, 2012.

UIS senior guards Davi Austin and Jamall Millison (4 treys) each had 16 points in the loss, while junior forward Richard Freeman contributed 12 points and eight rebounds.

The Flyers garnered a season-high in rebounds and grabbed 49 caroms to UIS' 37. Lewis also outrebounded the Prairie Stars, 13-3, in overtime. It is the most rebounds by a Flyer team since they collected 50 against Judson in 2012.

Lewis returns to action on Saturday (Jan. 30), as they head to Lebanon, Ill., for a 3 PM tip-off against McKendree.