SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - A 20-2 run midway through the second half propelled the University of Illinois Springfield women's basketball team to a 61-55 victory against Oakland City Wednesday night at the Recreation and Athletic Center.

The Prairie Stars trailed by eight at the 15:24 mark of the second half after Oakland City's Raven Greer scored two of her team-high 17 points to make the score 45-37. Junior Briana Starks (Hutchinson, Kan.) helped UIS take control of the game, kickstarting a 20-2 run with seven of her career-high 15 points to make the score 57-47 in favor of the hosts. She also finished with eight rebounds and two assists.

The visiting Mighty Oaks got right back into the game with an 8-0 run, in which the Prairie Stars committed six turnovers, to make the score 57-55 with just 1:36 to go in the game. UIS kept Oakland City off the board in the final 96 seconds of the game, holding on to win 61-55.

Multiple Prairie Stars turned in career performances against the Mighty Oaks. Sophomore Syerra Cunningham (Beach Park, Ill.) recorded her second double-double of the season, tying a career-high with 14 points and pulling down a career-best 14 rebounds. She also blocked two shots. Junior Jessica Warren (University Park, Ill.) grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds to help UIS set a new school record since joining Division II for the most rebounds in a single game with 57.

UIS trailed for much of the first half; it's only lead came on a basket from Cunningham at the 11 minute mark to put the hosts ahead by one, 15-14. Oakland City shot 42 percent from the field in the first half, led by Raven Greer's nine points. Cunningham kept the Prairie Stars close in the first half with 10 points and seven boards in just 10 minutes of action.

Freshman guard Shelbi Patterson (Indianapolis, Ind.) finished with 12 points and five assists, her second game with at least 12 points and five assists. Senior Courtney Knuckles (Poplar Bluff, Mo.) rounded out the double-digit scoring efforts for UIS with 10 points. The senior guard also added 7 rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block.

The Prairie Stars are back in action next Wednesday to host Robert Morris Peoria.