ROMEOVILLE, Ill. -- The Lewis University men's basketball team could not hold its halftime lead as the Flyers fell to Missouri-St. Louis 77-66 at Neil Carey Arena Thursday (Feb. 6).

HEAD COACH SCOTT TROST
"Tale of two halves. Give umsl credit. Played harder and with more intent and purpose the second half. Have to regroup and play much harder on Saturday."

TEAM RECORDS
Missouri-St. Louis 11-10, 9-5 GLVC | Lewis 13-7, 8-5 GLVC
                    
LEWIS LEADERS vs. Missouri-St. Louis
Points: Rob Stroud (Danville, Ill./Kankakee CC) (16), Jaylin Gibson (Evanston,IL/Evanston Township) (14), Anthony Sayles, Jr. (13), Devon Vanderheydt (Washington, Ill./Washington) (11)
Rebounds: Stroud (12)
Assists: Sayles, Jr. (4)
Steals: Gibson (1), Devon Vanderheydt (Washington, Ill./Washington) (1)
Blocks: Stroud (2)

GAME SUMMARY
Both teams were scoreless in the first two minutes before trading a pair of baskets which made it 4-4 early on with 15:55 left. Missouri-St. Louis scored eight unanswered points the next three minutes to pull ahead 12-4.

Lewis was able to respond with seven straight with back-to-back buckets from Stroud and Kirciman and a triple from Sayles Jr. UMSL got the ensuing bucket before got the next three baskets and next eight points to go ahead 18-14.

Moments later, the Flyers extended their lead out to 26-16 after a three-pointer by Gibson with 4:38 to play. Lewis scored the last five points in the final 2:26 of the half after a three by Warden and Gibson knocked down a pair at the line to make it 33-21 at the break.

UMSL came out of the second half with a 12-1 run in the first four minutes to make it a one-point game. Sayles Jr. was able to record the first basket of the second half for the Flyers to end the drought. 

The Tritons did not give up and kept their foot on the gas pedal with a 19-8 run the next five minutes, giving them a 54-43 lead. Vanderheydt made it as close as three (59-56) after knocking down a triple with 3:09 left.

UMSL got a three of their own the next possession which served to be the dagger as Lewis could not make some shots down the stretch and the Tritons knocked down their free throws. UMSL ended up winning 77-66.
 
UP NEXT
Lewis will be back in action at Neil Carey Arena Saturday, February 8 as the Flyers host Lincoln starting at 3 p.m. CT. We will honor the newest class of the Academy of Coaches. Be sure to join us!

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