Romeoville, Ill. - The Lewis University men's basketball team defeated Illinois Springfield 84-76 Thursday (Jan. 4) in a Great Lakes Valley Conference game at Neil Carey Arena.

After the game was tied 71-71 at the end of regulation, the Flyers scored the first six points of overtime and were able to hold on for the victory, in part thanks to two blocks from Nick Norton (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North) and five points from Delaney Blaylock (Wyoming, Mich./Godwin Heights).

Blaylock finished the game with 21 points and six rebounds, while Cristen Wilson (Cleveland, Ohio/John Hay) (16 points, 17 rebounds) and Norton (16 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks, 3 steals) both had double-doubles. It is the fifth double-double of the season for Wilson.

Bailey Basala (Moline, Ill./North Scott (IA)) added 13 points, while Adam Pischke (Cary, Ill./Marian Central Catholic) dished out seven assists.

The Flyers (7-7, 2-2 GLVC) shot 29-for-70 (41.4%) from the floor for the game, while UIS (9-4, 1-2) shot 26-for-66 (39.4%). Lewis dominated the boards, outrebounding the Prairie Stars 50-35.

Lewis jumped out to a quick 8-0 lead and held a 16-5 advantage before UIS rallied to take a 43-39 lead into the half. The hosts scored the first 10 points of the second half to take a 49-43 lead with 16:40 left in regulation.

The Flyers held a 71-58 lead with 3:44 left in regulation before the Prairie Stars scored 13 straight points to force overtime.

A free throw by Wilson, followed by a Norton layup and a Blaylock three-pointer gave Lewis a 77-71 lead in overtime. Lewis made five free throws down the stretch of overtime to move to 5-0 on the season at home.

Lewis returns to the road Saturday (Jan. 6) for a game at Truman State at 3 PM.