Box Score Lebanon, Ill. – The No. 4 seeded Lewis University Women's Basketball team defeated No. 5 seed McKendree 77-63 in the first round of the GLVC Women's Basketball Championship.
The Flyers improve to 18-12 overall while the Bearcats end their year with an 18-9 overall record
IMPACT PLAYERS
Yahaira Bueno (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook) led the Flyers with a game-high 22 points while shooting 7-for-10 from the field and a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line.
Ally Cesarini (La Grange, Ill./Lyons Township) recorded a double-double with 13 points and a team-high 11 rebounds.
Jasmine Jones (Bolingbrook, IL/Bolingbrook) chipped in 18 points of her own to aid the winning effort.
Baylie Parks led McKendree with 24 points and 13 rebounds.
HOW IT HAPPENED
McKendree opened the scoring early, but Lewis quickly responded with a three-point play from Bueno to take the lead. The Flyers built momentum midway through the first quarter after a three-pointer from Ramage and another from Jones pushed Lewis ahead. Bueno added a late layup in the final seconds to give the Flyers a 17-13 lead after the opening quarter.
The Bearcats responded in the second quarter behind strong scoring from Parks and eventually took the lead midway through the period. Lewis stayed within reach with free throws from Jones and a layup from Cesarini, but McKendree used a push to take a 32-27 lead into halftime.
Lewis came out strong in the third quarter as baskets from
Mercy Lasu (Winnipeg, Canada/D'Youville) and Cesarini helped the Flyers quickly erase the deficit and tie the game. Ramage later knocked down a three-pointer to push Lewis in front, and free throws from Bueno late in the quarter helped extend the advantage as Lewis carried a 52-47 lead into the fourth.
In the final quarter, the Flyers took control. Ramage opened the period with a layup before Bueno added another basket in the paint. Jones extended the red and whites lead with a three-pointer midway through the quarter, and Ramage followed with another from deep to give Lewis a double-digit lead.
The Flyers continued to capitalize on defensive stops and transition opportunities down the stretch to secure the 77-63 victory.
GAME NOTES
- Cesarini recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
- Lewis is now 21-4 against McKendree all-time. It marked the first postseason meeting between the two teams since the 2022-23 season as well.
- Lewis had four players score in double figures
UP NEXT
Lewis is set to play top-seeded #25 Missouri- St. Louis on Saturday, March 7th, at 12:00 PM CT.
