ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – The Lewis University women's basketball team won their sixth straight game as the Flyers defeated Southwest Baptist, 71-60, Thursday evening (Feb. 16).  
 
LEWIS LEADERS
Points: Grace Hilber (Sun Prairie, Wis./Sun Prairie) (24), Kathryn Schmidt (Hampshire, Ill./Burlington Central) (16), Taylor Gugliuzza (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West) (12)
Rebounds: Taylor Gugliuzza (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West) (8)
Assists: Jenna Badali (Oak Lawn, Ill./Mother McAuley) (8)
Blocks: Schmidt (1)
Steals: Badali (3)
 
RECORDS
Lewis 17-8, 13-4 GLVC | Southwest Baptist 12-13, 6-11 GLVC

SUMMARY
Both teams each scored eight points apiece to start the contest. Lewis went on a 9-2 run the next three minutes after three-pointers by Badali, Hilber and Schmidt. 

Southwest Baptist responded with three straight baskets to cut it down to one (17-16) with 2:05 left in the first. The Flyers closed out the quarter with three straight buckets of their own after Badali, Taylor Gugliuzza (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West) and Schmidt converted to make it 23-16.

The Bearcats opened the second quarter with back-to-back baskets before Taylor Gugliuzza (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West) converted a huge three-point play  to bring the Lewis lead out to 26-20. Southwest Baptist responded with a three before Lindsay Harrison (Yorkville, Ill./Yorkville) and Schmidt picked up back-to-back baskets. 

Lewis got baskets by Taylor Gugliuzza (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West) and Stephanie Hart (Geneva, Ill./Geneva) to bring their lead out to 10 (36-26) with 2:40 left before the break but that was all the scoring for the Flyers for the half as the Bearcats scored the final four to make it 36-30 at halftime. 

Hilber started the second half with a 3-pointer, looking to give Lewis back momentum. Schmidt was able to expand the Lewis lead out to 13 after recording a basket at the 6:18 mark in the third. 

SWB tried to respond and cut into the deficit but Lewis responded each time. Lily Courier (LaGrange, Ill./Lyons Township) hit a basket as time expired to give the Flyers a 58-46 lead. 

Hilber hit another three before the Bearcats went on a 8-2 run to make it down to six with under two minutes left. Lewis was able to hold Southwest Baptist without a point the rest of the way as Schmidt converted the three-point play and Hilber made a layup to give the Flyers a 71-60 victory.  

UP NEXT
Lewis will be back in action Saturday, Feb. 18 as the Flyers host Rockhurst at Neil Carey Arena with a 1 p.m. tip-off. Be sure to come out as Lewis honors their seven seniors before the game.