ROMEOVILLE, Ill. -- Saturday afternoon's game was written, signed and sealed by Lewis University women's basketball as they added another conference win to their record against LIncoln. 
 
TEAM RECORDS
Lewis 19-2, 13-1 GLVC | Lincoln 1-19, 0-14 GLVC
                    
LEWIS LEADERS vs. UMSL
Points: Cierra McNamee (Moline, Ill./Illinois Central College) (16)
Rebounds: Ally Cesarini (La Grange, Ill./Lyons Township) (10)
Assists: Cesarini (5)
Steals: Alayna Soukup (Lake Zurich, Ill./Lake Zurich) (2)

Head Coach Keisha Newell on the win:
"I loved the team effort across the board today. It started on the defensive end in the second quarter and lead to great looks offensively. Its super special that everyone scored today"

GAME SUMMARY
Despite the final score differential the Flyers got off to a slow start on Saturday being down 5-1 early in the quarter. After a two for two trip to the line from Taylor Gugliuzza (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West) and a three from Gabi Hoover (Mishawaka, Ind./La Lumiere), the Flyers found themselves leading for the first time. A Blue Tigers free throw would tie the game again only for a Tara Gugliuzza (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West) three to bring the lead back to the Flyers. 

The quarter would continue to go back and fourth with ties and lead changes yet the final two minutes would have Lewis begin to pull away from Lincoln. Sammi Campanelli (Huntley, Ill./Huntley) would drive for a layup after a McNamee steal. Cesarini would drop in a three followed by a McNamee layup at the end of the quarter to make it a 22-15 game.

The Flyers outscored the Blue Tigers 15-2 in the second quarter. Yahaira Bueno (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook) made the first basket for the Flyers in the second with a layup, followed by Jasmine Jones (Bolingbrook, IL/Bolingbrook) with a three. Cesarini and Jenna Badali (Oak Lawn, Ill./Mother McAuley) would be active from the mid range and McNamee would continue adding to her game leading day with a few more points. Ana Haklicka (Dubrovnik, Croatia/Chicago State) would check into the match and have a clean trip ot the free throw line to give Lewis a 37-17 lead at half. 

The offense continued hum throughout the third with Badali leading things off with a three. McNamee would continue to hammer home baskets with a layup and a free throw to go with it. Mercy Lasu (Winnipeg, Canada/D'Youville) off the bench was active on the offensive glass and got herself a few points.Her and Kree Nunnally (Crystal Lake, Ill./Example Academy) would work back and fourth in putting up a few layups. Campanelli would earn herself the Raising Canes Play of the Game after stealing the ball after a Blue Tiger rebounded her missed layup, putting it up for another basket.

Soukup hit the first basket of the fourth quarter to give Lewis a 33 point lead. The Flyers would continue to see offensive and defensive contributions off the bench, assisting in the effort of having every player on the lineup score in a single contest. Katlyn Allen (Chicago, Ill./College of DuPage) would enter the score book with a layup, with Yahri Smith (Chicago, IL/Butler College Prep) following up with a three not far behind. The clock continued to draw down as Lewis put a few more points on the board with a few trips to the line. As the time it zero the Flyers would take the victory with a 77-41 lead. 

ACADEMY OF COACHES CEREMONY
Lewis inducted its Class of 2025 for the Academy of Coaches during halftime as Lisa Carlsen, Wendy Hegarty, Jill Karwoski, Karen Lockyer, Erin Murphy-Lorenz, Laurie Goolsby-Schoenfeld, Catherine "Tat" Shiely were all honored. 


UP NEXT
The Flyers head south to take on McKendree on February 13th at 5:30 p.m.

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