ALLENDALE, Mich. -- The Lewis University women's basketball team picked up a huge road victory as the Flyers defeated the No. 2 team in the country, Grand Valley State, 69-63, at Fieldhouse Arena, Saturday (Dec. 31). 

TEAM RECORDS
Lewis 7-5 | No. 2 Grand Valley State 12-1

LEWIS LEADERS
Points: Kathryn Schmidt (Hampshire, Ill./Burlington Central) (16), Taylor Gugliuzza (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West) (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West) (16), Grace Hilber (Sun Prairie, Wis./Sun Prairie) (11), Jenna Badali (Oak Lawn, Ill./Mother McAuley) (11)
Rebounds: Schmidt (8)
Assists: Hilber (5)
Steals: Badali (3)
Blocks: Gugliuzza (3)

GAME SUMMARY
Lewis and Grand Valley went back and forth to start the contest before Schmidt knocked down a three-pointer which made it 10-7 early on. Moments later, the Flyers extended the lead out to 15-9 after Lily Courier (LaGrange, Ill./Lyons Township) made a basket.

GVSU bounced back and scored eight straight points to make it 17-15 with under two minutes to play in the opening quarter. The Flyers were able to respond right back and regaining the lead after making four straight free throws which made it 19-17. 

Badali hit a basket as time was expiring in the first quarter which gave Lewis a 21-18 after one. 

The Lakers started the second quarter with a basket but not before a three-pointer by Badali and a layup from Stephanie Hart (Geneva, Ill./Geneva) which made it a 26-20 Lewis lead. Hilber gave the Flyers a 31-23 lead moments later after knocking down a basket and a three-pointer. 

GVSU went on a 9-2 run the last four minutes of the first half to cut into the deficit. The Flyers led 35-29 at halftime with the Lakers making a basket with one second remaining. 

Grand Valley State started the second half with 11 unanswered points which made it 40-35 in favor of the Lakers. Hart ended the Flyers drought with a basket then the Lakers responded with a three-pointer to stretch their lead out to six. 

Lewis regained the lead and momentum after scoring seven straight of their own which made it 44-43 with 4:33 to play in the third. The Lakers did not go away after making back-to-back baskets which made it 48-44. 

Courier had the response for the Flyers after making a three-pointer. GVSU knocked down a pair at the line which gave the Lakers a 50-47 lead and would take that advantage going into the fourth and final period.

Both teams traded three-pointers to start the fourth quarter before Lewis scored five straight including and an-one from Taylor Gugliuzza (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West) which gave the Flyers a 55-53 lead at the 7:18 mark in the fourth quarter. The ensuing possession saw the Lakers regain the lead after knocking down a three-pointer. 

Back-to-back baskets by Schmidt and Hilber gave Lewis back the lead with 5:40 to go in the game. The Flyers would latch onto a small lead the rest of the way. 

Gugliuzza hit a huge clutch layup with 56 seconds left which gave Lewis a 65-60 lead. Down the stretch, Lewis hit four clutch free-throws which sealed the game for the Flyers and gave them a 69-63 victory. 

UP NEXT
Lewis will be back in action Wednesday, January 4 as the Flyers travel to Big Rapids, Mich. to take on Ferris State starting at 5:30 p.m. CT.