Box Score (PDF)

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. - Hannah Belanger scored Truman's last six points and climbed over 1,000 for her career as the Bulldogs gutted out an 83-75 victory over Lewis (Ill.) University on Thursday. 

Belanger becomes the 23rd Truman player to hit the 1,000 point mark and finished with 28 points with only one three-pointer on the night, a near midcourt heave to end the first half. She was 11-of-11 at the foul line with eight straight coming in the final 1:26 of the game with Truman trying to keep the Flyers at arms length. She is the eighth Truman player to achieve 1,000 career points during their third season.  Belanger added nine rebounds, matching a career-game best and five assists.

The game was a back-and-forth affair with a combine 15 players missing from both squads. 

Truman led by 11 with 4:20 to go in the first half before the Flyers went on a 14-2 run to take a 36-35 lead. It was short-lived as Belanger got to half court and drilled a three-pointer to send the Bulldogs into the break up 38-36.

The Bulldogs scored 13 straight after Lewis retook the lead in the third quarter and led 51-42 before the Flyers stormed back. 

Amelia Motz's bucket with 4:02 to play brought Lewis back to within three at 69-66 but Ellie Weltha converted on a conventional three-point play on Truman's next possession.

Grace Hilbner scored 24 points for the Flyers with her last three-pointer bringing the Flyers to within two at 77-75 with 30 seconds showing. Belanger was quickly fouled and made both free throws to push the lead back to two possessions.

A deep three from Lewis was off and the caromed out of bounds to Truman. Belanger would be fouled on the next two Truman possessions to seal the victory.

As a team, Truman was 21-of-23 from the foul line (91.3%) and had nearly a 2-to-1 advantage in rebounds (39-23). However, Lewis forced 15 Truman turnovers compared Truman forcing just four Flyer miscues. 

Weltha notched a double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds and Katey Klucking scored 12 while playing all 40 minutes. 

Truman will take their four-game winning streak on the road Saturday when they face McKendree at 1 p.m.