INDIANAPOLIS – The UIndy women's basketball team snapped a five-game losing streak on Thursday night, taking down perennial conference power Lewis, 59-55.

The Greyhounds (15-11, 9-7 GLVC) held the high-powered Flyers (20-6, 12-4 GLVC) without a field goal over the final five minutes of the game, sparking a late run that proved to be the difference. The win also clinches the Greyhounds' first winning season since 2013-14 and snaps an eight-game losing streak against their long-time division rival.
 
"This team never stopped believing in each other and tonight it paid off for us," Head coach Kristin Drabyn told WICR after the game. "We broke a lot of bad habits tonight and we executed really well down the stretch. This win means so much to the program and I couldn't be happier with the way our kids battled tonight."
 
Buckets were tough to come by in the early going as both sides set a physical tone on the defensive end in the first quarter. Both teams were 4-for-7 from the floor over the opening six minutes, but a Gabby Green three-point play was the only scoring of the final four minutes of the first, giving Lewis a 13-10 lead after 10 minutes.
 
The Greyhounds opened the second quarter on an 8-2 run to take an 18-15 lead with 6:32 to play in the frame. But once again, the offense would struggle to knock down shots and Lewis took full advantage, closing out the second on a 12-4 run to take a 27-22 lead into the break.
 
Despite their struggles shooting the ball, the Hounds found themselves within striking distance because of their defense. UIndy held the Lewis offense to just 40 percent (10-for-25) shooting in the opening half, well below the Flyers' season average of 48.5%.
 
Lewis opened the second half by knocking down four of their first five shots, opening up a 36-29 lead with 6:23 to go in the third. But once again, the Hounds' defense stepped up, holding the Flyers without a point over the next four minutes and battling back with a 7-0 run to tie things up at 36 with 2:13 left. Lewis would re-claim the lead before the third quarter horn sounded, taking a 44-40 advantage into the fourth.
 
Once again, the Hounds would claw their way back to tie things up, drawing even at 46 after another Philpot triple with 6:18 to play. Lewis would re-take the lead, but the Greyhounds saved their best effort for the final stretch.
 
Down 53-49 with four minutes to go, UIndy did not surrender a field goal the rest of the way, closing out the game on a 10-2 run. The deciding bucket came with 13 to go in the game when Burse sliced through the Lewis defense for a layup that made it 57-55.
 

Martha Burse with the game winner for @UIndyWBB! #AlphaDogs pic.twitter.com/lpEH6m71SB

— UIndy Athletics (@UIndyAthletics) February 17, 2017

 
Lewis couldn't get a good look on their final possession as Jamie Johnson's game-tying bid was well off line with the rebound falling into Martha Burse's hands. After Burse sealed the win with a pair of free throws, the Greyhounds poured out onto the floor to celebrate with each other and the UIndy faithful.
 
"This was such a gratifying win because we had been in situations like this before and had failed," Drabyn added "But we told our kids the only true failure is if you don't use those past experiences to get better. Tonight we found a way to get the job done."
 
Burse had 17 points to lead the Greyhounds with Nicole Anderson (14) and Jordan Cole (13) joining her in double figures. UIndy shot 43.8 percent (21-for-48) from the floor, going 7-for-18 from long range and 10-for-13 from the line.
 
Lewis' Jamie Johnson led all scorers with 25 points, but the Flyers as a whole struggled on the night. UIndy held the Flyers to 21-for-52 (40.4 percent) from the floor, 6-for-15 from long range and just 7-for-9 from the line.
 
UIndy grabbed 31 rebounds and held the Flyers to just 27 boards, their second-lowest total of the season in the rebounding department.
 
The Greyhounds will now turn their attention to the Wisconsin-Parkside Rangers, who are set to visit Nicoson Hall on Saturday afternoon for the final regular season home game of the year. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m.
 
Notes
-It was exactly five years to the day since the Hounds' last win over Lewis, an 81-73 win inside Nicoson Hall back on Feb. 16, 2012.
-After missing seven straight games, Sydney Brackemyre returned to the court for the Greyhounds Thursday, scoring four points in 16 minutes of action.
-Saturday will be the final home game for the team's two graduating players in Nicole Anderson and Emily Thomas. Senior Day festivities will be held before the start of the game.