ROMEOVILLE, Ill. -- The Lewis University men's basketball team started 2025 with a 78-68 victory against Maryville in Great Lakes Valley Conference competition at Neil Carey Arena Friday (Jan. 3)

TEAM RECORDS
Lewis 8-3, 3-1 GLVC | Maryville 5-8, 1-4 GLVC
                    
LEWIS LEADERS vs. MARYVILLE
Points:  Paxton Warden (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) (16), Rob Stroud (Danville, Ill./Kankakee CC) (14), Ryan Renfro (Glen Ellyn, Ill./U.S. Military Prep) (14), Devon Vanderheydt (Washington, Ill./Washington) (13), Anthony Sayles Jr. (Evanston, Ill./Notre Dame Prep) (10)
Rebounds:  Warden (10), Vanderheydt (9), Stroud (8)
Assists:  Jaylin Gibson (Evanston,IL/Evanston Township) (4), Warden (4)
Steals: Gibson (3)
Blocks: Stroud (3)

GAME SUMMARY
Both teams traded baskets to start the contest. Warden made it 18-17 in favor of Lewis after a made layup.

Maryville went on to score five straight to make it 22-18. Lewis responded with eight consecutive points including five from Warden which made it 26-22 Flyers with 7:48 to play in the first half.

The Saints knocked down a three-pointer to make it a one-point again before Vanderheydt answered with a jumper and one behind the arc to make it 31-25.  Maryville responded with seven straight to regain a 32-31 lead at the 4:35 mark in the first half. 

Rob Stroud (Danville, Ill./Kankakee CC) made a layup to quickly grab the lead back for the Flyers then MU knocked down back-to-back triples for a 38-33 advantage. Maryville went into the break ahead 42-38 after making a layup to end the half.

Warden began the second half with a bucket before Maryville scored five straight for a 47-40 advantage. Lewis got back in the contest after six straight points to make it a one-point game 47-46. 

Maryville held onto their advantage for most of the second half after leading 62-60 with 5:43 to play. Lewis responded with six straight points for a 66-62 lead and never looked back and never trailed the rest of the way.

Sayles put through the dagger with 59 seconds left after knocking down a three-pointer to make it 78-67. Lewis came away with the 78-68 victory.

UP NEXT
Lewis will be back in action Sunday, January 5 as the Flyers host a GLVC contest against McKendree starting at 3 p.m. CT.