KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – The Lewis University women's basketball team took down Truman State, 72-68, on the road Monday. The Flyers capitalized on big first and third quarters, outscoring the Bulldogs 20-13 in the first and 21-12 in the third.

LEWIS LEADERS
Points: Grace Hilber (Sun Prairie, Wis./Sun Prairie) (26), Kathryn Schmidt (Hampshire, Ill./Burlington Central) (16)
Rebounds: Hilber (6), Schmidt (4), Lily Courier (LaGrange, Ill./Lyons Township) (4), Cierra McNamee (Moline, Ill.) (4), Jenna Badali (Oak Lawn, Ill./Mother McAuley) (4)
Assists: Taylor Gugliuzza (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West) (5), Badali (5)
Steals: Tay. Gugliuzza (4), Tara Gugliuzza (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West) (3)
Blocks: Lily Courier (LaGrange, Ill./Lyons Township) (1), Tay. Gugliuzza (1)
 
RECORDS
Lewis 3-2 (2-0 GLVC) | Truman State 3-5 (0-2 GLVC)

SUMMARY
Both teams scored on their opening possession, setting the tone for a back-and-forth start as Truman State led, 10-9, midway through the first quarter. Lewis then went on a charge, outscoring the Bulldogs 11-3 the rest of the frame by holding Truman to just 1-5 shooting from the field during the run.

The Flyers led, 20-13, at the end of the first, and neither side could go on a run early in the second quarter as Lewis continued to hold a small lead. Then, the Flyers went on a 7-0 run, forcing two turnovers and grabbing two offensive rebounds in the span, to push the lead to 31-21.

Truman State pushed right back with a 13-5 run, with 10 points from Ellie Weltha, to close the first half. Lewis held a narrow 36-34 lead at the break, having forced 12 turnovers in the first half while only giving up five.

Schmidt scored the first five points of the second half for the Flyers and hit a jumper just over four minutes into the third to push the lead to six points, 45-39. After back-to-back baskets by the Bulldogs, Lewis put up a 12-3 push to grab a 57-46 lead. 

The Flyers' big third quarter was highlighted by a big advantage in shooting percentage, as Lewis was 8/13 (.615) from the field compared to 5/16 (.313) for Truman State.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Flyers scored three more points to push the lead to 14, the largest of the game. From there, the Bulldogs came charging back with a 9-2 run to cut the deficit to seven.

A jumper by Hilber made the score 68-59 in favor of Lewis with 4:30 remaining, but Truman State scored five consecutive points at the free-throw line to cut the deficit to four. After another bucket from Hilber, the Bulldogs scored four more and trailed by just two points with 39 seconds remaining.

The Flyers could not score on its next possession but came up with a huge turnover and Badali made a pair of free throws to ice the win. Lewis forced 19 turnovers in the victory and had 13 points on the fast break compared to just four for Truman State. Hilber's 26 points tied her career-high, set on February 5, 2022 in a win over Quincy.

UP NEXT
Lewis women's basketball continues GLVC action at home against Drury Thursday (Nov. 30) at 5:30 p.m. CT at Neil Carey Arena.