SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- The Lewis University women's basketball team started off Great Lakes Valley Conference season on a high note as the Flyers defeated Illinois-Springfield, 88-53, Saturday. First Year Head Coach
Keisha Newell recorded her first win at Lewis in the conference opener.
TEAM RECORDS
Lewis (1-4, 1-0 GLVC) | Illinois-Springfield (0-6, 0-1 GLVC)
LEWIS LEADERS
Points: Grace Hilber (Sun Prairie, Wis./Sun Prairie) (19), Kathryn Schmidt (Hampshire, Ill./Burlington Central) (12), Shawnton Brown (Joliet, Ill./Joliet Central) (12), Jenna Badali (Oak Lawn, Ill./Mother McAuley) (10)
Rebounds: Ryann Ogarek (New Lenox, Ill./Providence Catholic) (6)
Assists: Badali (5)
Steals: Badali (3)
Blocks: Brown (1), Schmidt (1)
SUMMARY
UIS went up 4-2 early then the Flyers rallied for 18 straight points in the eight more minutes. Schmidt started off the run with a three-pointer and it was capped off by a jumper by Tara Gugliuzza (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West) which made it 20-4.
Both teams traded a pair of free throws at the end of the first quarter. Lewis led 22-6 after the first quarter.
Lewis started the second quarter with the first eight points after a pair of threes by Badali and Hilber as well as a basket by Schmidt. The Prairie Stars cut it down to 22 (42-20) then the Flyers responded with a pair of buckets by Lily Courier (LaGrange, Ill./Lyons Township) and Schmidt.
Lewis ended the first half with the last six points of the second period. Brown recorded all three baskets in that span which gave the Flyers a 52-23 at the break.
The Flyers scored 13 straight points to start the second half in the first five minutes which made it 65-23 for their biggest lead of the game. Illinois Springfield responded with nine unanswered points to cut it down to 65-32.
Both teams traded a couple of points to start the fourth period before a three by Kae Barth-Lofton (St. Paul, Minn./Maranatha Christian Academy) and a basket by Ogarek which made it 78-38. Alyna Soukup hit a basket late then UIS scored five straight points to end the game with Lewis winning 88-53.
UP NEXT
Lewis will be back in action Monday, November 28 as the Flyers take on Quincy University starting at 5:30 p.m. CT.
