Drury Lady Panthers Game Preview
#6 Drury Lady Panthers (6-0, 1-0) at Lewis Flyers (3-2, 2-0)
Thur., Nov. 30, 2023 – 5:30 pm – Neil Carey Arena – Romeoville, Ill.
 
Live Coverage
Radio: KICK 92.3 FM / 1340 AM
Audio: www.923kick.com, TuneIn app
Live Video: GLVCSN (pay-per-view)
Live Stats: lewisflyers.com
 
Lady Panthers travel to Lewis 
The Drury Lady Panthers travel to Lewis in a rematch of last year's Great Lakes Valley Conference tournament championship game and NCAA-II Tournament opening round contest.
 
Drury is ranked sixth nationally and unbeaten at 6-0 and 1-0 in the GLVC. The Lady Panthers opened their conference schedule with an 81-56 win at Quincy on Monday.
 
Lewis is 3-2 and off to a 2-0 start in league play. The Flyers opened their conference slate edging Maryville 72-71 on Saturday, then got past Truman State on the road, 72-68.
 
Drury and Lewis played one another four times last season, including twice in the postseason. The Lady Panthers claimed the GLVC Championship with a 71-52 win over the Flyers in St. Charles, Mo. in the league title game, then defeated Lewis again in the opening round of the NCAA-II Tournament, 71-60, in Ashland, Ohio.
 
After Thursday's game, the Lady Panthers travel to Indianapolis for an 11:30 am tipoff to conclude a three-game, six-day road trip.
 
About Lewis
The Flyers were the preseason favorite in the GLVC, finishing first in the league's coaches' poll. Lewis received eight first-place votes after finishing 21-11 last year and returning four All-GLVC performers for this year's team. Fifth-year senior Grace Hilber leads the team, averaging 20.4 points and 6 rebounds in her first five games of the season. Kathyn Schmidt is averaging 16 points in three games so far this year.
 
2022-23 Series
Drury 71 Lewis 60 (March 10, 2023, NCAA-II 1st round at Ashland, Ohio)
-- DU outscored the Flyers 18-9 in the second quarter to lead 37-25 at halftime
-- Terrion Moore led Drury with 15 points and 9 rebounds
-- Grace Hilber had 18 points for Lewis
 
Drury 71 Lewis 52 (March 5, 2023, GLVC Championship, St. Charles, Mo.) 
 -- Lewis led 31-28 at halftime and led by as much as seven in the third quarter
-- Drury went on a 14-0 run and outscored the Flyers 22-7 in the fourth quarter
-- Terrion Moore led DU with 17 points
 
Drury 76 Lewis 60 (Feb. 25, 2023 at DU) 
 -- Kaylee Holt had 18 points and 5 steals
-- DU forced 24 turnovers while only committing seven
 
Drury 82 Lewis 75 (Jan. 12, 2023 at LU)
 -- Lewis led 36-35 at halftime before DU went on an 11-2 run in the 3rd quarter
-- Terrion Moore had 22 points, while Reese Schaaf added 16 points and seven rebounds
-- Kathryn Schmidt led Lewis with 17 points
 
All-Time series vs Lewis
Drury leads the all-time series against Lewis 23-8. The Lady Panthers faced the Flyers four times last year, including twice in the postseason and Drury won all four. The Lady Panthers have won five straight against Lewis and 14 of the last 15 encounters. The two programs have played one another in the conference or national tournament six times in the last eight years.
 
Lady Panthers last game
Drury 81 Quincy 56 (Mon., at Quincy)
 -- Beth Matas Martin led all scorers with 20 points
-- The Lady Panthers owned a 51-38 rebounding advantage
-- Drury led 21-11 after the first quarter and owned a 36-22 lead at halftime
-- DU held Quincy to 28 percent shooting from the field
 
Drury jumps to number six national ranking
The Lady Panthers jumped 11 spots in this week's NCAA-II national poll to number six in the coaches' poll. Ashland remained number one, Grand Valley State is ranked second and Central Missouri is number three this week.
 
QUICK FACTS
Records
Drury: 6-0 (1-0), ranked #6 NCAA-II
LU: 3-2 (2-0)
 
Head Coaches
Drury: Kaci Bailey (1^st year, 6-0 / 3^rd year, 28-36)
LU: Keisha Newell (2nd yr., 25-13 / 6th yr., 84-75)
                                                     
Streak
Drury: Won 6
LU: Won 3
 
Last Five Games
Drury: 5-0
LU: 3-2
 
All-Time Record
Drury 23-8
 
2022-23 Series
Drury 71 Lewis 60 (Mar. 10, NCAA-II 1st rd.)
Drury 71 Lewis 52 (March 5, GLVC Championship)
Drury 76 Lewis 69 (Feb. 25, 2023 at DU)
Drury 82 Lewis 75 (Jan. 12 at Lewis)
 
Next Game
Drury at Indianapolis, Sat., Dec. 2
11:30 am (CST), Indianapolis, Ind.
 
#allweDUiswin