ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – The Lewis University women's basketball team propelled past the University of St. Francis and earned its fourth consecutive win of the season after beating the Saints 75-65. The Flyers used a 20-6 second quarter and nailed seven 3-pointers in the second half to complete the win.
 
LEWIS LEADERS
Points: Kathryn Schmidt (Hampshire, Ill./Burlington Central) (19), Grace Hilber (Sun Prairie, Wis./Sun Prairie) (17), and Taylor Gugliuzza (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West) (13)
Rebounds: Schmidt (13)
Assists: Hilber (5) and Gugliuzza (5)
Steals: Hilber (2)
Blocks: Schmidt (2)
 
RECORDS
Lewis 6-5
 
SUMMARY
Lewis got off to a slow start but was able to score two layups in the final three minutes of the opening quarter each by Schmidt and Courier. St. Francis answered back with four points in the final minute to end the first quarter with a five point lead (16-11).
 
In the second quarter, it was USF who struggled from the field and it was Lewis using that to its advantage to take the lead. St. Francis shot 2-of-12 from the field in the second quarter and missed every three-point attempt. The Flyers, who trailed as much as six in the second quarter, went on a 19-4 run to end the first half.
 
Lewis took the lead at the 7:06 mark in the second after a Hilber 3-pointer. During the 19-4 run, Tara Gugliuzza (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West) canned two 3-pointers of her own. Lewis outscored USF 20-6 in the second quarter which saw the Flyers trail by five after one then led by nine at the break.

As the second half took place, the Fighting Saints started on a 9-4 run that cut the Lewis lead to two. In response, the Gugliuzza sisters, Taylor and Tara scored eight points by themselves. Taylor sunk two free throws and nailed 3-pointer, which was followed up moments later by a Tara three-pointer with five minutes to go in the third quarter.
 
Lewis shot 57 percent from 3-point range in the third quarter as Lily Courier (LaGrange, Ill./Lyons Township) and Hilber added three-pointers of their own. The Flyers had a nine-point lead at the end of three which eventually expanded to a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter. St. Francis managed to cut the lead to five late but Lewis was able to withstand the run.
 
UP NEXT
Lewis returns to action on New Year's Eve, Saturday, December 31 to play the No. 1 team in the country, Grand Valley State, for a non-conference matchup beginning at noon CT.