ROLLA, Mo. – The Lewis University men's basketball team fought hard throughout another close contest but ended up on the losing end, falling to Missouri S&T, 61-59, Thursday evening. The Flyers have now dropped eight straight games, five of which were decided by three points or less.
 
LEWIS LEADERS
Points: Vlado Zrnic (Greendale, Wis./Don Bosco Prep) (13), Devon Vanderheydt (Washington, Ill./Washington) (11)
Rebounds: Vanderheydt (6) and Zrnic (6)
Assists: Hill (2) and Zrnic (2)
Steals: Hill (1), Frericks (1) and Colin Kenney (Michigan City, Ind./Furman) (1)
Blocks: Zrnic (1) and Ford (1)
 
RECORDS
Missouri S&T 16-11, 10-9 GLVC | Lewis 8-19, 3-16 GLVC
 
SUMMARY
Lewis jumped out to a 6-0 lead just two and a half minutes into the game. It began with four quick points by Zrnic and a pull up jump shot by Vanderheydt.
 
The Flyers were able to extend their lead to double digits after five unanswered points from Terry Ford (Toledo, Ohio/Mineral Area JC) gave Lewis a 20-10 lead with 8:44 left in the first half. Missouri S&T responded with a 14-4 run to close out the first half and tie the game at 24.
 
One factor that allowed the Miners to go on a run was Lewis committing 12 turnovers compared to Missouri S&T's four in the first half.
 
Missouri S&T scored five straight points to start the second half, but Lewis quickly responded and tied the game at 33 with 16 minutes remaining in regulation.
 
Both teams traded baskets for the next 10 minutes before Ikenna Okeke of the Miners scored six straight points of his own to help Missouri S&T gain a eight-point lead with 3:30 left.
 
The Flyers managed to put together a 7-0 run throughout the next two minutes, making it a one possession game in the final minute of action.
 
After the Miners split a pair of free throws, Lewis had one last chance to either win the game or force overtime. Throughout a scrambling possession on the final play, the Flyers got a look and made a layup as time expired, but unfortunately after official review, the layup was ruled no good.
 
In another heartbreaking loss, Lewis has now lost eight straight games, five of which have been decided by three points or less.
 
In the loss, Lewis shot a better field goal and 3-point percentage than Missouri S&T, as well as out-rebounding the Miners and scoring more points in the paint. The glaring stat was the 21 turnovers the Flyers committed compared to Missouri S&T's 10 turnovers.
 
UP NEXT
In hopes of ending its eight-game losing skid, Lewis will play its final game of the season against Drury University in Springfield, Missouri on Saturday, February 25 at 1 p.m.