ROMEOVILLE, Ill. -- The Lewis University women's basketball team started off 2025 with another addition to their hot streak. This marks the ninth win in a row for the Flyers, their tenth overall. 

TEAM RECORDS
Lewis 10-1, 4-0 GLVC | Maryville 4-9, 2-3 GLVC
                    
LEWIS LEADERS vs. Maryville
Points: Taylor Gugliuzza (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West) (16)
Rebounds: Gugliuzza (7), Ally Cesarini (La Grange, Ill./Lyons Township) (7)
Assists: Gugliuzza (5)
Steals: Gugliuzza (3)
Blocks: Jenna Badali (Oak Lawn, Ill./Mother McAuley) (2), Cierra McNamee (Moline, Ill./Illinois Central College) (2)

GAME SUMMARY
In their first game of 2025 the Flyers found themselves locked into a close battle with conference opponent Maryville. Off the tip, the Flyers scored thanks to an early layup by Gugliuzza starting her off as the games point leader. The Saints quickly responded with a three to put the Flyers back for the first time in the game. Gugliuzza on the next possession would regain the lead with another layup. 

A three and a pair of free throws put Lewis down by four with six minutes remaining in the first quarter. A dry stretch for both teams brought the quarter down for the final 90 seconds when Yahaira Bueno (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook) flushed one home from beyond the arc followed by another three by Gugliuzza. The Saints would score off a layup in the final few seconds of the quarter to tie the game at ten. 

Maryville started the second with a quick mid-range shot to give them the quick two-point lead. After a few minutes, the Flyers were able to tie it once again at 15 off of a three pointer from the hands of Tara Gugliuzza (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West). The quarter continued to go back and forth with the score being tied with a score of 17 and 20.

Maryville took the lead with a layup in the final minute, but Badali from long range gave Lewis the 23-22 lead heading into the locker room at the half. 

Badali led the Flyers into the second half as well with a good shot from the mid-range to give Lewis a quick 25-22 lead. After layups by Ally Cesarini (La Grange, Ill./Lyons Township) and Gugliuzza, Taylor, the Flyers gained a 36-27 lead. After a bucket by the Saints, a Bueno three-pointer and a Kree Nunnally (Crystal Lake, Ill./Example Academy) gave Lewis a 41-32 lead at the end of the third quarter. 

The fourth quarter was led by Bueno with a three-pointer to give the Flyers a 12-point lead with a score of 44-23. Cesarini followed a few possessions later with a mid-range jumper off the assist from Badali. The Flyers kept the quarter slow taking their time on possessions and fighting off the defensive traps the Saints were attempting to set. Gugliuzza, Taylor threw up a three around the halfway mark of the quarter. 

Maryville threw everything but the kitchen sink at Lewis as they tried to mount a comeback in the final minutes of the game. However good free throw shooting and ball security gave Lewis the upper hand they need to walk away with a sizable lead. After a Saints three-pointer just before the final buzzer, this GLVC Matchup ended in a 57-45 final score. 

UP NEXT
A quick turn around for the Flyers as they return to Neil Carey Arena on Sunday Jan. 5 to take on the McKendree Bearcats at 1:00 p.m.