April 17, 2018
Ernie ‘Pop’ Lewis ’87; three-point specialist on 1987 Final Four team
Ernie “Pop” Lewis ’87, a co-captain and three-point-shot wizard who helped guide the Friars on a magical run to the Final Four in the 1987 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, died Jan. 10, 2018.
A native of Germantown, Pa., Mr. Lewis was recruited to PC in 1983 by coaching legend Joe Mullaney ’65Hon. & ’98Hon. He played in 102 games during his Friar career, averaging 7.5 points and 2.9 rebounds.
It was during the 1986-87 season — the first season of the three-point shot — that Mr. Lewis found his long-distance range. Encouraged by a young, aggressive head coach in Rick Pitino, and in tandem with backcourt mates Billy Donovan ’87 and Delray Brooks ’88, Mr. Lewis and the Friars electrified Friar fans with their trigger-happy shooting style.
PC surprised the BIG EAST with a 10-6 record and advanced to the Final Four, losing to Syracuse in the national semifinals in New Orleans, 77-63. The NCAA run included a 90-87 comeback overtime victory over Austin Peay in which “Pop” made a trio of three-pointers. As a senior, the 6-4 guard connected on 95 of 220 three-point shots (43.2%) and averaged 11.8 points and 4.2 rebounds as PC went 25-9.
Mr. Lewis recorded one of the most memorable shots in PC history that season when his three-pointer from the corner with less than three seconds left gave the Friars an 82-79 win over 11th-ranked Georgetown on Jan. 28, 1987.
Mr. Lewis is survived by his longtime companion and fiancé, Denise Logan; his son, Khalil; his stepchildren, Hannah and Ezekiel; a brother, Burnell “Snapp” Lewis; and a sister, Bennita Small.
