SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The Lewis University men's basketball team defeated Illinois-Springfield Thursday (Feb. 15), 86-74, behind a career-high 22 points and 10 rebounds from Cem Kirciman (Bursa, Turkey/Wisconsin-Green Bay) for his first career double-double. 

RECORDS
Lewis 13-10 (9-6 GLVC) | Illinois-Springfield 16-10 (9-7 GLVC) 

LEWIS LEADERS
Points: Cem Kirciman (Bursa, Turkey/Wisconsin-Green Bay) (22), Gary Solomon (Eastpointe, Mich.) (21), Rob Stroud (Danville, Ill.) (16), Devon Vanderheydt (Washington, Ill./Washington) (10)
Rebounds: Kirciman (10), Solomon (9)
Assists: Solomon (3), Beau Frericks (Cary, Ill./Cary Grove) (3)
Blocks: Solomon (1)
Steals: Kirciman (3), Solomon (3)

SUMMARY
Both teams traded baskets to start the contest. UIS jumped out to an early 20-16 lead with 12:51 left in the first half. 

Lewis regained the lead after a three-pointer by Vanderheydt and a layup by Solomon which made it 21-20. The Prairie Stars went on a 10-4 run the next four minutes to go up 30-25.

The Flyers responded with seven straight points capped off by an and-one by Stroud to make it 32-30 Lewis. Both teams went back-and-forth before Lewis went on another run to go up 43-35 including seven points from Kirciman. 

UIS recorded the next two baskets before Stroud had the final four points of the first half which gave the Flyers a 47-39 lead at the break. 

Lewis jumped out on an 11-2 run in the first four minutes of the second half which extended the Flyers lead to 58-43. Moments later, Solomon gave Lewis a 17-point lead after knocking down a triple with 13:10 in the contest. 

The Prairie Stars looked to mount a comeback but Bartosz Kapustka (Poland/Orchard Lake St. Mary's) extended the lead back out to 18. UIS made it a 12-point game before Lewis went on a 14-4 run after a three-pointer by Frericks gave the Flyers an 85-64 lead the largest of the night. 

UIS closed out the game on a 10-1 run but Lewis was able to hang on for the 86-74 victory. 

UP NEXT
The Lewis men's basketball team returns to action Saturday (Feb. 17) as the Flyers travel to Quincy for a GLVC matchup starting at 3 p.m. CT.