Lewis Athletics
Luke Rinne, Director of Athletic Communications

BOLIVAR, Mo. – Lewis’ men’s basketball team snapped its four-game losing streak with a 78-60 victory over Southwest Baptist on Saturday afternoon at the Meyer Sports Center in Bolivar, Mo. The Flyers improve to 11-11, 6-8 GLVC while the Bearcats fall to 17-5, 10-4 GLVC.

Lewis started fast scoring nine of the first 11 points and never looked back as it led by as many as 12 points in the first 20 minutes. SBU got as close as 30-26 with 4:18 to play in the half but the Flyers scored five of the next seven points to push the lead to seven before Damian Prgomet’s jumper at the buzzer cut Lewis’ lead to 35-30 at the break.

The Flyers lead hung around the 10-point margin for the first half of the second frame before they seized control over the final 8:26. They outscored the Bearcats 20-8 over a 6:30 stretch to take its largest lead of the game at 73-54 on a layup from Anthony D’Avanzo (Harwood Heights, Ill./Notre Dame) with 3:17 remaining.

SBU wouldn’t get closer than 15 points the rest of the way.

Lewis had another great day shooting connecting on nearly 59 percent of its attempts from the floor, were 5-of-10 from three and shot 87 percent at the foul line. It outrebounded the Bearcats 38-to-32 and had 13 assists in the contest.

D’Avanzo led all scorers with 21 points while Adam Pischke (Cary, Ill./Marian Central Catholic) dropped home 18, Brandon McCombs (Jacksonville, Ill./Jacksonville) finished with a season-high 14 points and Artese Stapleton (Chicago, Ill./Kenwood) added 13 points. D’Avanzo and McCombs had eight rebounds apiece.

SBU entered the game shooting nearly 49 percent on the season but the Flyers defense held them to just 31.8 shooting and 18.5 points under their season average in the contest. The Bearcats were 4-of-26 from three and shot 74 percent at the foul line. Kent Thomas led three SBU players in double figures with 14 points off the bench.

Lewis returns home on Thursday (Feb. 13) hosting Maryville at 7:30 p.m. The game is the annual Christian Brothers Bash and kicks off the final homestand of the season.