The Malone University men's basketball team lost its final contest of the GLVC/GLIAC Challenge to Lewis University (IL) Saturday night in Romeoville, Illinois, by the score of 91-62.  

The Flyers, who are ranked #17 in the NCAA Division II poll, hung tough in three road exhibition games aginst NCAA Division I opponents DePaul University (IL), the University of Norte Dame (IN) and Illinois State University before opening their regular-season schedule at home on Friday with a 78-57 triumph over Northern Michigan University.  Lewis' strong play continued in Saturday's contest as the Flyers jumped to an early 4-0 lead in the first minute of the game. Stephen O'Daniel III would tally Malone's first five points to make it 7-5 with 17 minutes left in the first half.

Malone would come within five points, 28-23, at the 10-minute mark, forcing the Flyers to take a timeout. The Flyers got on a shooting streak; scoring nine points in the final three minutes of the first half. The score at intermission was 47-35.

The Malone defense would come out strong at the start of the second half, forcing two turnovers within the first 30 seconds. However, the Flyers would go on to score nine straight points to extend their lead to 57-38 with 16 minutes left in regulation. The Lewis advantage would grow to 28 points midway through the second half. Max Strus led all scorers for Lewis with 20 points.

Freshmen Nate Sheppard led the Pioneers with 13 points, while teammate Ben Haraway added 12.

The Pioneers will be back in action as they will take part in Men Against Breast Cancer Classic exhibition game at Kent State University on November 18^th at 8:00 p.m.