SPRINGFIELD, Mo.— The Drury Panthers, in search of a must needed win, got exactly that on Saturday afternoon in a lopsided 93-54 decision over the Lewis Flyers at the O'Reilly Family Event Center. Having lost three in a row and four of their last five, the Panthers shot a blistering 72 percent from the field in the second half and rolled past the Flyers to pull to 8-8 on the season and 2-3 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
 
After the Flyers raced to a lead of 20-13 midway through the first half, Drury turned up their defense and found their shooting touch outscoring Lewis 27-4 over the final 12 minutes of the half to claim a 40-24 advantage at the break as the Flyers (10-3, 3-2) went scoreless for a seven and a half minute span. 
 
"We started going under their ball screens after they jumped in front and we were able to keep them in front of us," said Steve Hesser, Drury head coach. "We did a better job of not getting strung out in that stretch."
 
For the contest, the Panthers finished shooting 37 of 59 for 63 percent from the field and were 12 of 20 from three-point range. Lewis was 18 of 46 from the floor for 39 percent. Drury won the battle of the boards out-rebounding the Flyers 32-22 while forcing the visitors into 21 turnovers.
 
"Give our guys some credit today," said Hesser.  "Because I thought we were winners on Thursday night (a 71-70 loss to Indianapolis); we didn't win that game, but I think we went to work today and played well together."
 
Balanced scoring was the key offensively for the Panthers as six players reached double-figures led by 14 from senior Allen Billinger. Seniors Andrew Ballock and John Williams along with junior Kamau Kinder tossed in 13 each, and junior Sam Marshall added 12. Adam Pischke topped the scoring for the Flyers with a team-high 16 points.
 
The Panthers return to action on Thursday, January 17th when they play at McKendree in the opening game of a four-game road trip.
 
 
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