LEBANON, Ill. – The Lewis University men's basketball team had a huge second half surge but it was not enough as the Flyers dropped a Great Lakes Valley Conference contest to McKendree, 57-55, Thursday. 

LEWIS LEADERS
Points: Beau Frericks (Cary, Ill./Cary Grove) (11), Marieon Anderson (Rock Island, Ill./Rock Island) (10)
Rebounds: Jamere Hill (Joliet, Ill./Toledo) (8)
Assists: Hill (2)
Steals: Anthony Sayles Jr. (1) 
Blocks: Ford (1), Cem Kirciman (Bursa, Turkey/Wisconsin-Green Bay) (1)
 
RECORDS
McKendree 8-8, 4-5 GLVC | Lewis 6-11, 2-8 GLVC

SUMMARY
Lewis jumped out to a 8-7 lead after a jumper by Frericks. McKendree responded with nine straight points to go up 16-8. 

Sayles put an end to the run after making a three-pointer. The Bearcats went on another run to go up 28-13 with two and a half minutes left before half. 

Kirciman looked to bring some momentum into the lockerroom after making back-to-back layups at the end of first half as the Bearcats led 30-17 at the break. 

Anderson opened up the second half with a basket before MU responded with a three-pointer. The Bearcats extended their lead out to 19 (42-23) with 12 minutes to play but Lewis did not turn in yet as the Flyers scored seven unanswered to make it down to 12.

McKendree was up 56-40 with 5:57 but the Bearcats did not score another field goal the rest of the game. Lewis fought all the way back and made it 56-55 with under 30 seconds to play after Hill and Kirciman made baskets.

The Bearcats were able to hang on to a 57-55 victory after Sayles three-pointer missed the mark as time expired. 

UP NEXT
Lewis will be back in action Saturday, January 21 as the Flyers travel to Maryville University to take on the Saints starting at 3 p.m. CT.