Lewis Men’s Basketball Wins GLVC Opener Over Maryville, 60-45

Thomas (21 points) and McClellan (19 points) combine for 40 of Lewis’ 60 points.

St. Louis, Mo. – Lewis University guards Dennis Thomas, Jr. (Milwaukee, Wis./Bradley Tech) and Chris McClellan (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Wheeling) combined for 40 points, as the visiting Flyers claimed the 60-45 victory over Maryville in the Great Lakes Valley Conference opener at Moloney Arena on Thursday (Dec. 2) night.
  
Thomas posted a game-high 21 points, including three trifectas, while McClellan added 19 points, three three-pointers and tied a career-high with six rebounds. Junior center Marty Strus (Hickory Hills, Ill./Stagg) collected 10 points in the win.
 
With the win, Lewis improves to 4-4 overall and 1-0 in GLVC action, while the Saints drop to 2-3 on the campaign and 0-1 in conference play. The win also snaps a three-game road losing streak for the Flyers.
 
Lewis’ defensive effort, however, proved to be the difference in the game, as the Flyers held Maryville to a 37.5% (15-for-40) shooting performance from the floor.
  
Maryville’s 40 shots on Thursday night, was the fewest by a Flyer opponent since Quincy attempted 40 in a 62-38 loss to Lewis on January 30, 2004. The Saints only attempted 16 shots from inside the three-point arc.  
  
The Flyers dominated the glass on Thursday, as Lewis grabbed 35 rebounds, including eight offensive caroms, to Maryville’s 19 boards.
  
Maryville forward Cody Sorenson topped the Saints with 17 points.
  
Lewis returns to action on Saturday (Dec. 2), as they head across town to square off with Missouri-St. Louis for a 3 p.m. (CST) tip-off.