ST. CHARLES, Mo. - The No. 14 Lewis University women's basketball team began their 2025 postseason campaign with a 77-61 win over Truman State on Thursday night (March 6). 

TEAM RECORDS
Lewis 26-2 | Truman State 14-17

LEWIS LEADERS
Points: Taylor Gugliuzza (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West) (19), Jenna Badali (Oak Lawn, Ill./Mother McAuley) (15)
Rebounds: Ally Cesarini (La Grange, Ill./Lyons Township) (7)
Assists: Jenna Badali (Oak Lawn, Ill./Mother McAuley) (7)
Steals: Cesarini (4)

Head Coach Keisha Newell on the win:
"We did some really good things tonight and I thought it started on the defensive end. The first five minutes of the fourth quarter were tremendous. That was a great team effort on both ends of the floor."

GAME SUMMARY
Gugliuzza, the recently crowned GLVC Player of the Year, appropriately began the scoring for the game with a layup to give Lewis the first lead of the day. A two-pointer and a three-pointer would shift the lead toward the Bulldogs but two jumpers from Cierra McNamee (Moline, Ill./Illinois Central College) and Cesarini would hand the lead back over to the Flyers. Those four points would be the start of a 15 point run in the Flyers which featured three straight three-pointers out of the hands of Badali, Gabi Hoover (Mishawaka, Ind./La Lumiere), and Gugliuzza.

Truman State added a few points to make it a 17-11 game but two layups by Cesarini would halt their run. Badali would have a perfect trip to the free throw line to add another two points to the board prior to the end of the quarter. The score at the end of the first would be 23-18 Lewis. 

 Truman would start off the second on a roll and take back the lead with a few free throws and a three, while a McNamee layup would quickly regain the lead for the Flyers it would be lost just as quickly.

The next few possessions were a back and forth duel on the scoreboard with the lead being passed back and forth between the two squads. Eventually, Tara Gugliuzza (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West) would snap the exchange with a big three to give Lewis a 29-27 lead. Two Bulldog free throws would tie the game but a layup plus the foul from Gugliuzza, Taylor with another layup the next trip down would give the Flyers some space. 

Badali once again wrapped up the scoring for Lewis in the quarter with a three just before half, at the buzzer the Flyers led 37-34. 

Gugliuzza from the paint would rattle one home for the first points of the second half with Cesarini getting one to fall on the next drive down the floor. Two offensive rebounds enabled McNamee to put another two points on the board to give Lewis another basket. Then Hoover would step beyond the arc and throw one in to give Lewis a ten point lead in the third quarter. 

McNamee would have two back to back jumpers fall only to be followed by a long range basket from Badali to put the Flyers up by twelve. The Bulldogs continued to keep the game close with the Flyers ending the third quarter with a seven point lead at a score of 59-52.

The Flyers allowed one point in the first seven minutes of the fourth quarter showcasing their incredible defensive capabilities which have often been overshadowed by their defense throughout the regular season. Gugliuzza, Taylor, and Badali continued to have their way offensively with McNamee and Cesarini filling in the gaps at several points. What was once a close game turned into a 20 point lead with 1:15 remaining in the game. The Bulldogs worked as fast as they could to throw some final points on the board but Lewis walked away with a 77-61 win. 

UP NEXT
Lewis awaits the winner of No. 4 seed Missouri-St. Louis/No. 5 seed Maryville for the GLVC Semifinals. That matchup will be Saturday, March 8 at 6 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

50 YEARS OF WOMEN'S ATHLETICS
Lewis University is also organizing several alumni and family events throughout the women's athletic seasons to commemorate this historic milestone. These special gatherings will provide an opportunity for former athletes, families, and supporters to reconnect and celebrate the achievements of women's sports at Lewis. The scheduled events include:

• Women's Tennis Alumni/Family Event – April 19
• Women's Lacrosse Alumni/Family Event – April 25
• Women's Softball Alumni/Family Event – April 26
• Women's Track Alumni Day – May 3

FLYERS ANNUAL FUND
Support the Flyers by making a gift to the Flyers Athletics Fund at https://lewisflyers.com/202425AnnualFund