ROMEOVILLE, Ill. -- The Lewis University men's basketball team was unable to capture the victory against Lincoln as the Blue Tigers defeated the Flyers 69-64 at Neil Carey Arena Saturday (Feb. 8).

HEAD COACH SCOTT TROST
"Thought we could have executed better. Have to regroup and win the next game."

TEAM RECORDS
Lincoln 16-6, 8-6 GLVC | Lewis 13-8, 8-6 GLVC
                    
LEWIS LEADERS vs. Lincoln
Points: Rob Stroud (Danville, Ill./Kankakee CC) (15), Paxton Warden (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) (13), Jaylin Gibson (Evanston,IL/Evanston Township) (10), Devon Vanderheydt (Washington, Ill./Washington) (10)
Rebounds: Vanderheydt (7), Warden (7)
Assists: Anthony Sayles Jr. (Evanston, Ill./Notre Dame Prep) (3), Rob Stroud (Danville, Ill./Kankakee CC) (3)
Steals: Gibson (2)
Blocks: Cem Kirciman (Istanbul, Turkey/Wisconsin-Green Bay) (1)

GAME SUMMARY
Both teams scored four points each before Lewis responded with a layup by Stroud and three-pointer by Vanderheydt which made it 9-4. Moments later, Warden extended the lead out to 13-6 with 11:21 to play in the half. 

Lincoln responded with eight straight points, giving the Blue Tigers a 14-13 lead with 8:16 before the break. Bartosz Kapustka (Krakow, Poland/Orchard Lake St. Mary's) made a dunk off the pass from Sayles which tied it at 16-16. 

The Blue Tigers went on to score six unanswered, giving them a 22-16 advantage with three minutes to play in opening half. Lincoln closed out the half with a 16-6 run to give them a 32-22 lead.

Kirciman made back-to-back layups to start the baskets in the second half to make it a seven-point contest (34-27) in the early stages of the second half. Lincoln kept
building on its lead before the Flyers were able to get back in the game after threes from Kapustka and Vanderheydt to make it 49-45 with under 10 minutes left. 

Lincoln once again had the answer with a layup and a three-pointer to make it a nine-point contester the under eight. The Flyers had one last fight in them after Gibson slammed it home and made it a five-point ball game with 5:34 left.

Stroud converted on a three-point play and Warden knocked down a pair at the charity stripe which tied it at 62-62 with 2:38 remaining in the game. The Blue Tigers outscored the Flyers 7-2 the final 2:38 to win the contest 69-64.

UP NEXT
Lewis will be back in action at Neil Carey Arena Thursday, February 13 as the Flyers travel to McKendree starting at 7:30 p.m. CT. 

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