SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Despite outscoring the Hawks in the second half, the University of Illinois Springfield dropped an 87-76 decision to Quincy on Thursday night at the Recreation and Athletic Center.

The Prairie Stars drop to 6-5 and 0-3 in the early part of the conference season. Quincy moves to 7-7 and 1-3 in the league.

UIS owned a 44-39 advantage in the second half, but it would not make up for the 16-point deficit at the half. The Prairie Stars shot just 30 percent in the opening stanza, while Quincy was on fire hitting 17-for-28 for a 60 percent clip. The Hawks also hit six triples to the Stars' two.

Quincy led from start to finish and the hosts were only able to tie the game once. The Hawks took their first double-digit lead on a three-ball before UIS answered with one of its own from sophomore Mark Weems (Chicago) who finished with a game-high 20 points. The Hawks maintained their distance for the remainder of the game as UIS only came as close as nine for the contest.

The Prairie Stars came back in the second half to shoot 53 percent (16-for-30), but it was not enough to overcome the visitors. Down the stretch, Illinois Springfield closed the gap from 20 points to nine and held Quincy to its last field goal with just over four minutes remaining. However, the hosts did not get any closer as Quincy sunk its final two freebies to secure the road win.

Weems was 7-for-17 from the floor including a 3-for-5 night behind the arc. Junior Davi Austin (Newark, N.J.) recorded a season-high 16 points and five assists with two steals. Juniors Dusko Despot (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) and Colin Blaydes (Chicago) each tallied 12 points. Big man Dylan Sparkman (East Peorioa, Ill.) pulled down a game-high eight boards, but struggled to find the basket as he had just four points.

Quincy outscored UIS 42-30 in the paint and had 18 fast break points. For the game, UIS went 26-for-63 from the floor to shoot 51 percent. Quincy hit 31-of-52 attempts for a 59 percent outing. Quincy owned a slight 35-31 edge off the glass, but UIS owned an 11-6 advantage in offensive boards leading to 12 points.

Godson Eneogwe topped the Hawks with 17 points, while three others joined him in double figures.

The Prairie Stars continue to look for their first conference win against Truman on Saturday at 3 p.m. at TRAC. Former student-athletes and alumni get in free to the game.