ROMEOVILLE, Ill. -- The Lewis University men's basketball team was unable to come away with the victory as their shot in the closing seconds did not fall as the Flyers fell to Rockhurst 86-85 Saturday (Jan. 23).

HEAD COACH SCOTT TROST
"Really good game. Thought they made one more play than we did. Made some mistakes down the stretch. Just need to use this as fuel to get better."

TEAM RECORDS
Rockhurst 13-6, 7-4 GLVC | Lewis 12-5, 7-3 GLVC 
                    
LEWIS LEADERS vs. ROCKHURST
Points: Anthony Sayles, Jr. (23), Ryan Renfro (Glen Ellyn, Ill./U.S. Military Prep) (17), Paxton Warden (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) (17), Rob Stroud (Danville, Ill./Kankakee CC) (10)
Rebounds: Sayles, Jr. (6), Stroud (6)
Assists: Ryan Renfro (Glen Ellyn, Ill./U.S. Military Prep) (7)
Steals: Sayles, Jr. (3), Warden (3)
Blocks: Stroud (2)

GAME SUMMARY
Both teams traded the first 10 baskets which made it 10-10 at the 15:43 mark. Lewis proceeded to go on a 13-3 run in the next three minutes including seven points from Sayles, Jr. which made it 23-13. 

Rockhurst tried to fight back and scored five straight points to make it a five-point game but Warden and Sayles, Jr. knocked down triples to make it double digits again at 29-18 with 10:42 remaining. 

Renfro knocked down a three-pointer to extend the Lewis lead out to 41-31 with 2:16 to play. Rockhurst closed out the first half on a 11-2 run which made it 43-42 Flyers at the break. 

Stroud opened up the second half with a bucket and a three-pointer which made it 48-42 in the opening minute. Moments later, Jaylin
Gibson knocked down back-to-back jumpers to give the Flyers a 61-51 advantage. 

Rockhurst got back in the contest after scoring five straight points to make it a five-point game. Lewis shook it off and responded with a layup from Renfro and three by Gibson to make it 66-57 with 10:45 to play.

The Hawks then went on a 10-4 run the next three minutes to cut it down to two (69-67 in favor of Lewis). Marieon Anderson (Rock Island, Ill./Rock Island) looked to shift momentum back over to the Lewis after converting on a three-point which made it 72-67 with 7:16 to play.

Devon Vanderheydt (Washington, Ill./Washington) knocked down a pair at the charity stripe to make it 76-71 with five minutes remaining before Rockhurst rallied off a 10-1 run the next two minutes which gave them a 80-77 advantage. Warden responded with a layup to make it a one-point game again with 2:35 left.

Moments later, Sayles, Jr. made a layup to tie it at 83-83 with 1:29 on the clock. Rockhurst was able to knock down free-throws down the stretch to help them go ahead 86-83. 

Stroud converted on a layup with 47 seconds to go for a one-point game. Lewis got the ball back and Stroud tried to hit a game-winning three with seconds remaining but it did not fall.

UP NEXT
Lewis will be back in action at Neil Carey Arena Thursday, January 30 as the Flyers host Missouri S&T starting at 7:30 p.m. CT. 

UPCOMING EVENTS
Be sure to join us Saturday, February 8 as we induct our newest members of the Academy of Coaches at halftime of the women's basketball game against Lincoln.
 
FLYERS ANNUAL FUND
Support the Flyers by making a gift to the Flyers Athletics Fund at https://lewisflyers.com/202425AnnualFund