Women end conference run

The Screaming Eagles women's basketball team (22-8,13-5 GLVC) was eliminated from the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament on Sunday after falling to the Lewis University Flyers (18-11,12-6) by a score of 54-56.

“You want to handle success like you handle failure,” Stein said. “You want to improve from wins and improve from losses.”

Ellen Young opened up the game with a three-pointer that excited the crowd and gave the Screaming Eagles early momentum.

The Flyers responded and built an 11 point lead with 7:29 left in the first half.

“We just didn't play our game,” Young said. “We played their game.”

Despite being down, the Screaming Eagles kept battling and cut the deficit to 22-28 at halftime.

Stein said the team was “going to shoot the ball better” and “come back and win the game” after trailing by six points at halftime and shooting 25 percent. 

However, the Flyers continued to hold off the Screaming Eagles every time it went on a run.

“You've got to credit Lewis,” Stein said “I think they're a good defensive team, and I think they forced us into some things that ended up in some missed shots.”

With 37 seconds left, Amie Newhart made a layup to make it a 52-56 lead for Lewis. 

On the following inbounds pass, the Flyers turned the ball over to the Screaming Eagles.

Abby Williams brought the team within two points of tying the game after making two free throws with 28 seconds left.

With 20 seconds left, the Flyers gave the Screaming Eagles an opportunity to tie or win the game by missing a free throw.

But, Young missed a layup. 

However, the Screaming Eagles received a second chance when a jump ball was called on the rebound.

On the next play, Rinesha Soaper shot a three-pointer at the buzzer, but it was off the mark.

“We didn't ever give up,” Young said. “It's just we weren't the tougher team to get it done.”

Young led the team in scoring with 19 points and Newhart added 10 points.

The Flyers dominated the points in paint category, outscoring the Screaming Eagles 16-28. 

The Screaming Eagles were also outscored in second chance points.  The Flyers finished with 12 points compared to the Screaming Eagles two points.

The Screaming Eagles will be awaiting the selection of NCAA Division II tournament teams this Sunday.  The tournament begins March 12.