ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – A 15-2 run in the game’s final five minutes wasn’t quite enough, as the University of Indianapolis fell to Lewis (15-10, 10-7 GLVC), 65-60, at Neil Carey Arena on Saturday.  Down 16 with 4:56 to go, the Hounds rallied to slice the lead to three with 24 second remaining, but Lewis hit its final four free throws to hold off a storming Greyhound squad.  Three Hounds scored in double figures, led by Justin Barnard’s 13 points.

 

The Hounds came out ice cold by hitting just two of their first 15 attempts from the floor.  The Flyers didn’t fare much better as the scoreboard read a nominal 12-5 through the first 11 minutes.  Both offenses began to click from that point, however, as the teams combined to score 37 points in the half’s remaining minutes, making for a 30-24 halftime advantage for the home team.  Lewis sophomore Jason Genova scored 18 of his game-high 24 in the first stanza.

 

Lewis continued its offensive proficiency after the break, while the Greyhound attack sputtered.  The Flyers gained a double-digit edge within four minutes and upped the lead to 14 at the ten minute mark.  Eight-straight points from UIndy got the Hounds back in it before a 13-3 run by the home team put the Hounds in a deep hole with little time to climb out.

 

UIndy’s surge began with a Keith Radcliff layup with 4:41 showing on the clock.  After a Flyer free throw, the Hounds scored the game’s next ten points with the help from seven Lewis turnovers, trimming the margin to five.  Lewis managed another one-pointer before Justin Barnard nailed a triple to make it a one possession game with 24 ticks left.  The Greyhounds couldn’t get over the hump, however, as Lewis sophomore Brandon Dagans went 4-for-4 from the line in the final 16 seconds to put the game on ice.

 

Braxton Mills tallied 12 points, eight rebounds, three steals and three blocks while Radcliff finished with 12 points.  Tyke Cockerham and Scott Strahm collectively totaled 11 assists and four steals against just one turnover.  Lewis’ tandem of Genova and Dagans combined for 46 of the Flyers’ 65 total points.

 

UIndy (12-11, 8-8 GLVC) will play its final three games at Nicoson Hall, starting with Saint Joseph’s on Monday, Feb. 19.  With the Hounds still fighting for a spot in the conference tournament, a victory on Monday is paramount as the Greyhounds are tied with SJC for fourth in the GLVC East.