ROMEOVILLE, Ill.  -- The Lewis University men's basketball team honored its seniors in a big way as the Flyers defeated Illinois-Springfield 87-80. 

Thank you to our seniors Jaylin Gibson (Evanston,IL/Evanston Township), Anthony Sayles Jr. (Evanston, Ill./Notre Dame Prep), Rob Stroud (Danville, Ill./Kankakee CC) and Devon Vanderheydt (Washington, Ill./Washington) for your commitment to the Lewis men's basketball program. Last but certainly not least, thank you to Brandon Kwan for all the hard work you put in for the team!
 
TEAM RECORDS
Lewis 16-8, 11-7 GLVC | Illinois-Springfield 12-14, 7-11 GLVC 
                    
LEWIS LEADERS vs. Illinois-Springfield
Points: Stroud (26), Sayles Jr. (20), Ryan Renfro (Glen Ellyn, Ill./U.S. Military Prep) (12), Paxton Warden (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) (11)
Rebounds: Stroud (9)
Assists: Vanderheydt (6)
Blocks: Sayles Jr. (1)
Steals: Sayles Jr. (2)

GAME SUMMARY
Stroud started the contest with a three-pointer, and then both teams traded baskets. UIS cut the deficit down to 12-11, then Lewis had back-to-back threes by Sayles Jr. to make it 18-11.

The Prairie Stars knocked down a pair at the line, then went on another burst for seven consecutive points to extend its lead out to 25-13. Moments later, Gibson knocked down a huge triple givibg Lewis a 34-20 advantage at the 7:14 mark.

UIS recorded a three of its own to cut into the deficit but Lewis went on another run with nine straight points for a 43-23 lead. Lewis went into the break ahead 45-27.

UIS started the second half on a 13-4 run, making it 51-40 Flyers with 16:14 to play in the game. Lewis got back on track after a three-pointer by Vanderheydt on the next Flyers possession. 

Sayles Jr. knocked down a three and Warden hit a pair at the charity stripe making it 59-42 with 14:46 remaining in the game. The Prairie Stars scored nine in a row, including a 12-2 run, making it a single-digit deficit. 

Stroud and Renfro got the Flyers back on track with two straight buckets to make it double digits once again. UIS was able to cut it to seven and six a pair of times but Lewis was able to hold them off. 

Stroud iced the game, hitting a layup with 40 seconds to go, giving Lewis a 84-76 lead. The Flyers held on and won 87-80 on senior day.
 
UP NEXT
Lewis will be back in action Thursday, February 27 as the Flyers host Quincy for its home finale starting at 7:30 p.m. CT for RED OUT!

UPCOMING EVENTS
Be sure to join us Wednesday, March 26 as we induct our newest inductees of the Athletics Hall of Fame at the Flyer Red Dinner at Bolingbrook Golf Club starting at 6 p.m. CT. Purchase tickets at https://lewisflyers.com/2025FlyerRedDinner
 
FLYERS ANNUAL FUND
Support the Flyers by making a gift to the Flyers Athletics Fund at https://lewisflyers.com/202425AnnualFund