ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – Lewis University's women's basketball team looks to bounce back from its first loss in Great Lakes Valley Conference play as it wraps up its homestand against Indianapolis and Bellarmine this weekend. The Flyers and Greyhounds meet on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and then Lewis takes on the Knights in the finale of four-game homestand on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Last Time Out – The Flyers had their eight-game winning streak snapped in a 71-60 loss to Missouri-St. Louis last Saturday. Lewis was held to under 40 percent shooting in the contest.
Rachel Hinders (Johnston, Iowa/Johnston) led the Flyers with 18 points and 11 rebounds in the contest while
Katie Gardner (Franklin, Wis./Pius XI) added 15 and
Alyssa Streeter (Chicago, Ill./Jones Prep) scored a career-high 12 points off the bench.
GLVC Points Rating System – Despite the loss to the Tritons, Lewis continues to hold the second spot in the GLVC Points Rating System. This system is what determines the eight qualifiers for the GLVC Tournament which will be held March 5-8 in Edwardsville, Ill. The format for this year's tournament has changed with the top two seeds going against the lowest two seeds on both the men's and women's sides playing on Thursday (March 5). The remaining eight teams on both sides will play their respective opening round contests on Friday (March 6). The semifinals will be held March 7 and the championship games will be on March 8.
Top 10 – Hinders is ranked in the top 10 in several offensive categories in the GLVC. She is first in free throw shooting (93.2 percent), second in field goal percentage at 60.3 percent, third in scoring at 19.7 points per game and tied for eighth in rebounding with 7.0 rebounds per contest.
Play 4 Kay – During all four of the Flyers home contests during the month of February they'll be raising money for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. For $2, fans can purchase a rubber duck and at halftime of both the men's and women's games people can chuck their ducks on the court with the closest one to the circle winning half of the pot.
About UIndy – The Greyhounds enter Thursday evening's contest with a record of 13-5, 6-4 in the GLVC. The Hounds defeated Southwest Baptist 67-56 this past Saturday behind a game-high 28 points from Laura Thomas. McKenzy Telfair added 15 while Emma Benoit finished with 10 points off the bench. For the season, Thomas leads UIndy in scoring with 15.4 points per outing while Telfair is averaging an even 10 points per game.
Series vs. UIndy – Thursday's contest marks the 77th meeting all-time between Lewis and UIndy with the Flyers holding a 42-34 advantage in the series. Lewis has won six straight contests including a 73-70 decision earlier this month at Nicoson Hall in Indianapolis. This will be the 39th meeting at Neil Carey Arena with Lewis having won 24 of the 38 meetings.
About Bellarmine – The Knights enter Thursday's contest at Illinois Springfield with a record of 10-7, 5-5 GLVC and have lost three of their last four outings. In its last outing Bellarmine led top ranked Drury 58-57 heading into the final quarter but was outscored 25-16 in the final quarter of its 82-74 loss to the Panthers at Knights Hall. Breia Torrens led the Knights with 29 points while Mallory Schwartz added 11. For the season, Torrens leads Bellarmine in scoring with an average of 15.1 points per contest.
Series vs. Bellarmine – The Knights hold a 40-31 advantage in the all-time series but Lewis has dominated the series of late winning 10 of the last 11 games including a 78-76 decision earlier this month in Louisville.
Up Next – Lewis heads to southwest Missouri next weekend for a pair of games. The Flyers take on the top ranked Drury Panthers next Thursday at 5:45 p.m. and then head up Highway 13 to Bolivar, Mo. on Saturday to take on GLVC newcomer Southwest Baptist at 1 p.m.
