ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – Coming off a month where they went 4-2 for the best six-game start since the 2016-17 season, the UIndy women's basketball jumped right into conference play Saturday afternoon when they squared off with one of the conference's best, the Lewis Flyers. The 24th-ranked Flyers are off to a 5-1 start so far this season with two-time conference player of the year who has already added two conference player of the week honors to her resume, Jessica Kelliher. UIndy pushed Lewis until the very end, but came up short falling on the road in the conference opener, 73-68
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
UIndy went inside early on Lewis with four of their first five made field goals coming from layups. The Hounds then started to stretch out the Flyers defense, making their next three jumpers coming from Emma Benoit, Laura Thomas, and Taylor Dillard. UIndy shot over 55% in the opening quarter and outrebounded the Flyers to lead Lewis by four at the end of the first. UIndy pushed their lead to nine early in the second quarter after a three from Katie Sowa and layup form Benoit, forcing Lewis to take their first timeout of the half to try and slow down the UIndy attack. Taylor Drury scored seven-straight points for the Greyhounds, sparking UIndy late in the half to give them a 10 point lead going into half. The Hounds shot an astounding 72.7% from the field in the second quarter while holding Lewis to 35% in the frame.
 
Like the second quarter started, the second half started with a quick UIndy run forcing a Lewis timeout. UIndy pushed the lead to 16 after made baskets by Drury, Benoit, and Claire Carlton. Lewis started working the ball inside to get layups and free throws to chip away at the Greyhound lead. The Hounds were held under 50% shooting for the first time all game in the third quarter while the Flyers shot over 53%, to trim the UIndy lead to 10 heading into the final quarter. Lewis continued to cut into the Greyhound lead, a three-pointer from Lewis' Stephanie Hart ignited a 12-0 Flyers run to take the lead late in the fourth quarter. The Hounds cut the Lewis lead to three after a pair of made three throws from Liz Alsot with little over 30 seconds in game, but it was not enough.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
-UIndy made six three's in today's game against Lewis, it is the fourth time this season that the Hounds made at least six three's in a game and the third time the team has shot over 40% from deep.
-For the fourth straight game, UIndy has outrebounded their opponents. The Hounds tied Lewis in defensive rebounds but pulled down six offensive boards to give them the advantage.
-Liz Alsot provided a spark off the bench for the Hounds again, scoring 10 points on four-of-six shooting and grabbed nine rebounds in 13 minutes of play.
 
UP NEXT
The Hounds are back on the road next Saturday for a non-conference tilt with the Mighty Oaks in Oakland City.