The year of 2014 brought us many great moments in University of Illinois Springfield Athletics. To close out the year, the Prairie Stars will count down the top 14 moments of 2014. Events will range from academic successes, winning games and highlighting individual accomplishments.

#13 - Men's Basketball Posts Best Finish; Best Start in 2014
Despite falling to Drury in the the GLVC semifinals to close out the 2013-14 season, the UIS men's basketball team had a historic trip to get there. The Prairie Stars as  No. 12 seed went into No. 5 seed Truman to open the GLVC Tournament and upset the Bulldogs on their home floor. It was the first time in program history for the upset and one of the few in conference history.

Then-senior Regan Bruenger had a career-best 25 points and shot 8-for-14 from the field to help wtih the upset. The teams battled through seven ties late in the game until a triple from then-sophomore Jamall Millison pushed UIS out front where they remained for the rest of the game. The Prairie Stars sank nine of its final 14 free throws to pull away from Truman who hit just 1-of-5 down the stretch. UIS finished with a mark of 10-18 on the year - the second most wins since entering Division II.

Now off to a hot start, the Prairie Stars are off to the best start in Division II history with new head coach Bill Walker at the helm. UIS captured three straight victories to open the season before dropping a hard-fought contest to MIAA foe Lindenwood. UIS then grabbed three more victories - all by double figures - before falling to Kentucky Wesleyan to wrap up conference season.

The Prairie Stars are currently leading the conference in shutting opponents down from the floor as defenses are only shooting 38 percent against UIS. The team also leads the GLVC in defensive rebounds, while UIS players are ranked in the top 10 of the conference in six categories led by Kentrell King who is second in assists per game (5.13).

UIS now turns its attention to GLVC action where it faces some nationally-ranked teams throughout the season.


#13 - Men's Basketball Posts Best Finish; Best Start
#14 - Women's Basketball 1,000 Point Scorers