ST. CHARLES, Mo. – The Lewis University men's basketball team began the GLVC Tournament with a 76-70 win over Illinois-Springfield in the conference quarterfinals Friday (March 8).
LEWIS LEADERS
Points: Cem Kirciman (Bursa, Turkey/Wisconsin-Green Bay) (17),
Anthony Sayles Jr. (Evanston, Ill./Notre Dame Prep) (15),
Beau Frericks (Cary, Ill./Cary Grove) (15),
Rob Stroud (Danville, Ill.) (14)
Rebounds: Kirciman (8),
Devon Vanderheydt (Washington, Ill./Washington) (8)
Assists: Gary Solomon (Eastpointe, Mich.) (4)
Steals: Sayles (3)
Blocks: Kirciman (3)
RECORDS
(3) Lewis 17-12 | (6) Illinois-Springfield 18-13
SUMMARY
UIS jumped out to an early 6-3 lead before Frericks responded with a three-pointer to tie it. Moments later,
Anthony Sayles Jr. (Evanston, Ill./Notre Dame Prep) gave Lewis a 14-8 lead after knocking one down from deep.
The Prairie Stars got within striking distance after scoring five straight to cut it down to one (14-13). Stroud sparked a 15-4 run the next four minutes with a three-pointer which gave Lewis a 27-19 lead with 6:39 left in the first half.
UIS responded with six points in a row to make it a one score game again with 3:10 remaining.
Marieon Anderson (Rock Island, Ill./Rock Island) knocked down a triple to stop the threat temporarily before the Prairie Stars tied it at 32-32.
In the closing seconds of the first half, Frericks found Hill for the driving layup to give Lewis a 34-32 lead at the break.
Kirciman started the second half with the first six points for Lewis which gave the Flyers a 40-35 advantage. Moments later, Sayles and Stroud knocked down three-pointers of their own to give Lewis a double-digit lead at 51-40 with 13:29 left in the contest.
Moments later, Vanderheydt gave Lewis a 57-42 lead after knocking down a three-pointer with 10:46 to play. UIS responded responded with a 11-1 run the next four minutes to cut it down to five (58-53). Kirciman put a stop to the Lewis drought with a basket to make it 60-53.
Lewis maintained its lead throughout the final six minutes of the contest. Stroud hit the dagger which gave Lewis the 66-58 lead with 2:32 remaining in the game.
The Flyers held on to win the contest 76-70.
UP NEXT
Lewis men's basketball will be back for the GLVC Tournament Semifinals on Saturday (March 9) against Upper Iowa at 8:15 p.m. CT.
