ROMEOVILLE, Ill. -- The Lewis University women's basketball team walked away with yet again another flawless week in the books after winning on Sunday (Jan. 5) with a 84-80 win in conference play.
TEAM RECORDS
Lewis 11-1, 5-0 GLVC | McKendree 8-3, 4-1 GLVC
LEWIS LEADERS vs. McKendree
Points: Ally Cesarini (La Grange, Ill./Lyons Township) (21),
Cierra McNamee (Moline, Ill./Illinois Central College) (16),
Jenna Badali (Oak Lawn, Ill./Mother McAuley) (15),
Taylor Gugliuzza (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West) (13)
Rebounds: McNamee (8)
Assists: Badali (6)
Steals: Five Players Tied (1)
Blocks: Cesarini (1), Hoover (1)
GAME SUMMARY
Cesarini began the game with a quick turnover but made up for it as she was the first to score off a perfect trip to the free throw line. The first bucket from the field came from a Gabrielle Hoover three. The Flyers would hit two more threes directly after from the hands of Gugliuzza and Badali.
Cesarini added five points to the board with a fast break layup and a three two offensive possessions later. The quarter would be capped off with two good free throws from Badali to give Lewis a 22-17 lead at the end of one.
In the second quarter, McKendree began the scoring with a three after a minute of missed opportunities from both squads.
Yahaira Bueno (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook) responded with a three of her own for the Flyers on the next possession. A layup by Cesarini and a three pointer by Badali allowed Lewis to hold a small lead but the Bearcats continued to keep pace with the Flyers.
Eventually, McKendree would break through and take the lead with a layup. After some back and forth the Flyers would take the lead back thanks to layups from Cesarini and McNamee. Good free throw shooting down the stretch of the first half would see the Bearcats tying the game at 39 heading into halftime.
McNamee began the second half with two flawless trips to the charity stripe. Badali would throw down a shot from beyond the arc and McNamee would then hit two more free throws. McNamee would continue her third quarter offensive onslaught with two layups.
The fourth quarter was led by a Cesarini layup, which was met with another by the Bearcats on the other end of the floor. Hoover and
Tara Gugliuzza (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West) would step behind the line and hit back-to-back threes to take a 68-66 lead.
Heading into the final five minutes a Cesarini layup gave Lewis a 73-71 lead. Gugliuzza hit a layup and Hoover with a three kept a good cushion between the two teams.
The final minute was highlighted by Lewis securing the basketball and hitting shots when they counted. McKendree put up some quick shots to keep their chances alive but four straight free throws from Gugliuzza and Badli sealed the 84-80 victory for Lewis.
UP NEXT
Lewis will be back in action Thursday, January 9 as the Flyers host a GLVC contest against Upper Iowa starting at 5:30 p.m. CT. Thursday's contest will be Rae Strong Night as the Flyers raise money for the Rae Strong Foundation.
