Lewis Leads Eagles Over Liberty 66-59 In Big South Tournament Opener

Feb. 28, 2002

ROANOKE, VA--Greg Lewis, the 2002 Big South Conference Player of the Year, led four Winthrop players in double figures as the three-time defending conference champions opened defense of their title with a 66-59 win over Liberty.

Winthrop improves to 17-11 overall with its fifth straight win of the year while Liberty ends its season at 5-25.

Lewis scored 16 points and pulled down a game-high 9 rebounds to help give Winthrop its record-setting seventh straight tournament win.  Lewis, who got in early foul trouble, scored 15 of his points in the second half.  Josh Grant, a 6-9 freshman, scored a career-high 10 points, grabbed a career-high 7 rebounds and blocked a career-best 5 shots.  Pierre Wooten had 14 points and eight assists while Tywan Harris scored 11.

Winthrop connected on 44 percent from the floor (24-55) while the Eagle defense limited the Flames to 34 percent (21-61.  The Eagles also outrebounded Liberty 43-38.

Liberty was led by senior guard Chris Caldwell with 17 points while Philip Ward and Travis Eisentrout scored 14 each.

Winthrop advances to Friday night's semi-finals where they will meet the winner of the Charleston Southern vs. Elon game at 6:00 p.m.