ROMEOVILLE, Ill. - The Lewis University men's basketball team defeated Upper Iowa, 93-76, at Neil Carey Arena Saturday (Feb. 10). The Flyers had all five starters reach double figures in scoring for the first time this season, led by Gary Solomon (Eastpointe, Mich.), who recorded a double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds. 

RECORDS
Lewis 12-10 (8-6 GLVC) | Upper Iowa 14-8 (9-5 GLVC) 

LEWIS LEADERS
Points: Beau Frericks (Cary, Ill./Cary Grove) (19), Solomon (19), Devon Vanderheydt (Washington, Ill./Washington) (12), Ryan Renfro (Glen Ellyn, Ill./U.S. Military Prep) (12), Rob Stroud (Danville, Ill.) (12), Paxton Warden (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) (11)
Rebounds: Solomon (13)
Assists: Solomon (5), Vanderheydt (5)
Blocks: Four Tied (1)
Steals: Marieon Anderson (Rock Island, Ill./Rock Island) (2)

SUMMARY
Lewis jumped out to an early 6-0 lead to start the game after a pair of baskets by Frericks and one by Renfro. Upper Iowa responded with a three-pointer to make it 6-3.

Moments later, Upper Iowa went on a run to grab a 13-11 lead with 14:51 to play in the first half. The Flyers responded and regained the lead after back-to-back buckets by Solomon and Renfro. 

Both teams traded baskets for the next seven minutes of play which tied the contest at 25-25 with 7:15 to play before the break. Lewis went on to score seven unanswered points after back-to-back baskets by Renfro and a three-pointer by Frericks which gave the Flyers a 32-25 lead with 5:03 to go in the half. 

Upper Iowa got right back in the contest with five straight of its own including an and-one to cut it down to two points. Vanderheydt responded for the Flyers with two straight trifectas to give Lewis a 38-31 lead with 2:56 before half. Lewis headed to the locker room with a 44-35 lead.

The Peacocks started the second half with a basket before Lewis got one from Warden and a three from Frericks to extend the lead out to 49-37. Moments later, Solomon extended the Flyers lead to 60-46 with 12:42 to play.

UIU mounted a comeback as the Peacocks scored 11 unanswered the next three minutes to make it a three-point game with 9:31 remaining in the game. The Peacocks then cut it down to one (64-63) before Stroud knocked a huge triple to extend it back out to four. 

Lewis was able to stretch out its lead to 84-68 after Warden made a layup with 2:11 left which sealed the game. The Flyers won the game 93-76.

UP NEXT
The Lewis men's basketball team returns to action Thursday (Feb. 15) as the Flyers travel to Illinois-Springfield for a GLVC Matchup starting at 7:30 p.m. CT.