ROMEOVILLE, Ill. -- The Lewis University men's basketball team cruised to an 87-66 victory over Southwest Baptist Saturday (Dec. 2) at Neil Carey Arena. It was a big-time performance for the Flyers' offense, which tied its season-high in points while shooting at its best rate this season at .588 from the field and .500 from three-point range.

TEAM RECORDS
Lewis 3-3, 2-0 GLVC | Southwest Baptist 2-6, 0-2 GLVC
 
LEWIS LEADERS
Points: Beau Frericks (Cary, Ill./Cary Grove) (19), Gary Solomon (Eastpointe, Mich.) (18), Jamere Hill (Joliet, Ill./Joliet West) (14), Ryan Renfro (Glen Ellyn, Ill./U.S. Military Prep) (13)
Rebounds: Renfro (10), Solomon (9)
Assists: Frericks (4), Renfro (3), Hill (3)
Steals: Solomon (2)
Blocks: Cem Kirciman (Bursa, Turkey/Wisconsin-Green Bay) (2)
 
SUMMARY
Lewis started hot, getting out to a 17-6 lead after forcing three turnovers in the opening minutes as Frericks had eight points on 3/3 shooting. Southwest Baptist responded with a 9-2 run, cutting the Flyers' lead to four points.
 
The Bearcats had trimmed the deficit to just one before a quick 7-0 burst for the Flyers restored some cushion to the advantage. Later, a 10-0 run by Lewis pushed the lead up to 17 points at 43-26.
 
SBU managed one more basket before the end of the half, leaving the Flyers up 43-28 at the break. Lewis had an impressive half shooting the basketball, going 17/27 from the field (.630) and 5/8 for three (.625).
 
Hill started the scoring in the second half for the Flyers with a three-point play, but the Bearcats fought back with a 6-0 run to get back to within 12. Later, a 6-0 push from Lewis capped off by a dunk by Solomon increased the lead to 57-38 and forced SBU to call timeout.
 
After the timeout, a three-pointer by Hill put the lead over 20 points for the first time. The Bearcats responded with a 15-3 push to make the score 63-53 Flyers. Lewis recovered to score 10 of the next 13 points to all but put the game away.
 
The Flyers scored the last four points of the game to finish off the victory. Lewis finished the game shooting 30/51 (.588) from the field and 9/18 (.500) for three.
 
FINAL SCORE: Lewis 87, Southwest Baptist 66
 
UP NEXT
Lewis will be back in action Saturday (Dec. 9) as the Flyers travel to Indianapolis to face the Greyhounds at 2 p.m. CT.