ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – Lewis University's men's basketball team starts its final homestand of the year against Maryville this Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. The homestand continues Saturday afternoon against Missouri S&T at 3 p.m.
Last Time Out – Lewis snapped a four-game losing streak with a 78-60 victory at Southwest Baptist last Saturday. The victory moved the Flyers into the eighth spot in the GLVC's point ratings system which determines the eight teams that advance to the GLVC Tournament (March 5-8) in Edwardsville, Ill.
Christian Brothers Bash – Thursday's contest will be the Fifth Annual Christian Brothers Bash at Neil Carey Arena. There will be free pizza, drinks and prizes for Lewis students in the Fieldhouse after the games.
Senior Day – Lewis will recognize its four seniors:
Jake Reinhart (Bloomington, Ill./Central Catholic),
Adam Pischke (Cary, Ill./Marian Central Catholic),
Joffery Brown (Burr Ridge, Ill./St. Joseph's) and
Anthony D'Avanzo (Harwood Heights, Ill./Notre Dame) prior to the start of Saturday's game with the Miners.
Built Tough – The Flyers have played the third toughest schedule in Division II this season according to the NCAA. Lewis' opponents have combined for a .613 winning percentage this season. Three other GLVC schools rank in the top 20 with Indianapolis ranked fourth, Lindenwood is 13th and Bellarmine is 18th. McKendree is just outside the top 20 at No. 21.
About Maryville – The Saints enter Thursday's contest with a record of 5-16 on the season and are 1-13 in the GLVC. In their last game they snapped a 12-game losing steak with a 62-61 win over McKendree. Owen Long hit the game-winning three from the top of the key with 12.9 seconds to cap a 10-0 run as Maryville rallied from a 59-52 deficit in the final 2:08.
Parker Long leads the Saints in scoring with 14.0 points per game while Jalen Gant is averaging 11.9 points per outing and Owen Long is contributing 10.2 points per contest. Gant also leads the team in rebounding with 5.9 per contest and Parker Long has dished out a team best 78 assists.
Series vs. Maryville – Lewis holds a 5-4 advantage in the series against the Saints and have won three of the last four. Last season, the Flyers defeated Maryville 83-58 at Neil Carey Arena.
About Missouri S&T – The Miners are 5-15, 3-11 GLVC on the season heading into Thursday's contest at Illinois Springfield. S&T dropped an 89-66 decision at home to Southern Indiana last Saturday.
Dulan Scott leads the Miners in scoring with an average of 15.3 points per outing. He is joined in double figures by CJ Hedgepeth with 12.6 points per game and Mitch Fairless is averaging 11.5 points per contest. Fairless is also the team's leading rebounder with 5.7 per game while Hedgepeth has a team-high 64 assists.
Series vs. Missouri S&T – Lewis is 13-0 all-time against S&T and are 6-0 at Neil Carey Arena. Last season, the Flyers picked up a 73-58 victory in Rolla.
Up Next – Lewis wraps up its three-game homestand hosting McKendree next Thursday (Feb. 20) at 7:30 p.m.
