RENSSELAER, Ind. - The Prairie Stars shot just 26 percent from the field in the University of Illinois Springfield women's basketball team's 60-42 loss to Saint Joseph's Thursday evening at the Scharf Alumni Fieldhouse.

Sophomore Syerra Cunningham (Beach Park, Ill.) led the way for UIS with 11 points and 12 rebounds, her fifth double-double of the season. Senior Cassie Wolfe (Plainfield, Ill.) added a season-high 10 points and tied a season-high with six boards.

With the loss, the Prairie Stars are on a four-game skid and have lost their last six road games.

Thursday's game remained close for much of the first period despite 18 first half turnovers by the Prairie Stars. A pair of free throws from junior Jameeshia Armstrong (Chicago, Ill.) at the 6:24 minute-mark made the score 21-19 in favor of the Pumas. The hosts responded with a 13-1 run over the next five minutes to take control of the game. During the run, UIS was 0-for-8 from the floor with three turnovers. Four points in the final 36 seconds from Armstrong kept the deficit at 12, 36-24, going into the break.

In the second stanza, the Prairie Stars continued to struggle from the floor. A 6-0 run capped off by a layup from Cunningham early in the period made the score 41-31, but that was as close as they came the rest of the way. Only four UIS players scored in the second half, including Cunningham and Wolfe with seven points each. 

Kalea Parks carried the load offensively for the host Pumas, scoring a game-high 27 points on 11-of-17 shooting with nine rebounds. Courtney Kvachkoff added 24 points and nine boards while connected on five three-point shots.

It was the lowest shooting percentage by the Prairie Stars this season and the second-fewest points scored in a single game. The team committed a season-high 28 turnovers.

UIS looks to bounce back on Saturday at Indianapolis. Game time is set for 12 p.m. CST.