(3) Lewis Men's Basketball Defeats (6) UIS in GLVC Quarterfinals - Lewis University Athletics (2024)

ST. CHARLES, Mo. – The Lewis University men's basketball team began the GLVC Tournament with a 76-70 win over Illinois-Springfield in the conference quarterfinals Friday (March 8).

LEWIS LEADERS
Points:Cem Kirciman (Bursa, Turkey/Wisconsin-Green Bay) (17),Anthony Sayles Jr. (Evanston, Ill./Notre Dame Prep) (15), Beau Frericks (Cary, Ill./Cary Grove) (15),Rob Stroud (Danville, Ill.) (14)
Rebounds:Kirciman (8), Devon Vanderheydt (Washington, Ill./Washington) (8)
Assists:Gary Solomon (Eastpointe, Mich.) (4)
Steals:Sayles (3)
Blocks:Kirciman (3)

RECORDS
(3) Lewis 17-12 | (6) Illinois-Springfield 18-13

SUMMARY
UIS jumped out to an early 6-3 lead before Frericks responded with a three-pointer to tie it. Moments later, Anthony Sayles Jr. (Evanston, Ill./Notre Dame Prep) gave Lewis a 14-8 lead after knocking one down from deep.

Splash ?? pic.twitter.com/27GHV8rFue

— Lewis Men's Hoops (@LewisMBBall) March 9, 2024

The Prairie Stars got within striking distance after scoring five straight to cut it down to one (14-13). Stroud sparked a 15-4 run the next four minutes with a three-pointer which gave Lewis a 27-19 lead with 6:39 left in the first half.

Rob is on ???? pic.twitter.com/Gx4Tg5SxX7

— Lewis Men's Hoops (@LewisMBBall) March 9, 2024

UIS responded with six points in a row to make it a one score game again with 3:10 remaining. Marieon Anderson (Rock Island, Ill./Rock Island) knocked down a triple to stop the threat temporarily before the Prairie Stars tied it at 32-32.

Marieon joins the three point party????? pic.twitter.com/a46S05DIKs

— Lewis Men's Hoops (@LewisMBBall) March 9, 2024

In the closing seconds of the first half, Frericksfound Hill for the driving layup to give Lewis a 34-32 lead at the break.

Buzzer beater ???? pic.twitter.com/Ro6JOjlJcd

— Lewis Men's Hoops (@LewisMBBall) March 9, 2024

Kircimanstarted the second half with the first six points for Lewis which gave the Flyers a 40-35 advantage. Moments later, Sayles and Stroud knocked down three-pointers of their own to give Lewis a double-digit lead at 51-40 with 13:29 left in the contest.

Cem with range ???? pic.twitter.com/xwzrImu1Yw

— Lewis Men's Hoops (@LewisMBBall) March 9, 2024

Moments later, Vanderheydt gave Lewis a 57-42 lead after knocking down a three-pointer with 10:46 to play. UIS responded responded with a 11-1 run the next four minutes to cut it down to five (58-53). Kircimanput a stop to the Lewis drought with a basket to make it 60-53.

Devon joins the three point party???? pic.twitter.com/aVu2m1QCro

— Lewis Men's Hoops (@LewisMBBall) March 9, 2024

Lewis maintained its lead throughout the final six minutes of the contest. Stroud hit the dagger which gave Lewis the 66-58 lead with 2:32 remaining in the game.

The Flyers held on to win the contest 76-70.

??????? FLYING HIGH ??@LewisMBBall holds off the Prairie Stars in the closing minutes to keep its title hopes alive!#GLVCmbb | #GLVCchamps | @LewisFlyers pic.twitter.com/FyB2R7ezP9

— Great Lakes Valley Conference (@GLVCsports) March 9, 2024

UP NEXT
Lewis men's basketball will be back for theGLVC Tournament Semifinals on Saturday (March 9) against Upper Iowa at 8:15 p.m. CT.