ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – The Lewis University women's basketball team lost in overtime, 71-69, to McKendree Thursday (Jan. 18). The Bearcats take over first place in the GLVC with the win, now at 9-1 in conference play, while the Flyers fall to second at 8-2.

LEWIS LEADERS
Points: Taylor Gugliuzza (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West) (15), Jenna Badali (Oak Lawn, Ill./Mother McAuley) (12), Kathryn Schmidt (Hampshire, Ill./Burlington Central) (10), Grace Hilber (Sun Prairie, Wis./Sun Prairie) (10)
Rebounds: Cierra McNamee (Moline, Ill.) (10), Hilber (6)
Assists: Badali (6), Hilber (4)
Steals: Badali (2)
Blocks: Badali (1), Schmidt (1), Hilber (1)

RECORDS
McKendree 13-3 (9-1 GLVC) | Lewis 9-7 (8-2 GLVC)

SUMMARY
McNamee opened the scoring for Lewis with a pair of layups early, but McKendree then charged ahead with a 16-0 run with four three-point shots. The Bearcats went 6/8 from the floor on the run while holding the Flyers to 0/5.

A three from Badali trimmed the deficit to five points for Lewis, 18-13, at the end of the first quarter. McKendree went 4/4 from beyond the arc in the first frame.

Courier scored layups on each of the Flyers' first two possessions of the second quarter, and Lewis used a 6-0 run to take a 21-20 lead. Later in the frame, a three-pointer by Tara Gugliuzza (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West) tied the game at 26.

The Bearcats scored the final five points of the first half to take a 31-26 lead into the locker room. The Flyers went just 2/12 (.167) in the first half from three-point range but committed just three fouls, with McKendree missing its only free-throw attempt of the first half.

Things went back-and-forth early in the third, as the sides traded haymakers including four consecutive three-point shots with Badali and Tar. Gugliuzza connecting from deep for the Flyers.

Neither side could go on a run, but four offensive rebounds in the frame helped Lewis cut the deficit down to two points at 49-47 heading to the fourth quarter.

The Flyers made four free throws early in the final frame, moving to 9/9 from the stripe in the game. Back-to-back layups by Schmidt later put Lewis in front, and a jumper by Badali made it 57-53 Flyers with 5:46 to play.

McKendree responded with six straight points from Christy Fortune to go ahead, but Lewis immediately struck back with an 8-2 push with four points from Tay. Gugliuzza to go up 65-61 with 76 seconds left in regulation.

The Bearcats scored on both of its next two possessions to tie it at 65, and Schmidt couldn't get a jumper to go in the final five seconds, sending the game to overtime.

In the extra period, McKendree scored first before the Flyers scored on back-to-back possessions to go ahead, 69-67. The Bearcats then made a pair of free throws on its next trip down the floor to again tie the score, 69 all.

In the final 10 seconds, McKendree got a steal and a basket. Schmidt's heave at the buzzer was off target and the Bearcats took home the 71-69 victory.

UP NEXT
Lewis women's basketball welcomes UMSL to Neil Carey Arena Saturday (Jan. 20) at 1 p.m. CT.