SPRINGFIELD IL. - The University of Illinois Springfield women's basketball team begins Great Lakes Valley Conference play against Bellarmine and Southern Indiana this weekend. Game one is set for Thursday, Dec. 3 at 4:45 p.m. CT. Game two is set for Saturday, Dec. 5 at 1:00 p.m.

Follow the Prairie Stars on the road using the links above.

QUICK HITS

• First-year head coach Mark Kost has the Prairie Stars at a 3-2 record. UIS is half way to their season total wins from last year.
• UIS saw their three-game win streak come to an end last week when they fell to Missouri Southern, 42-60.
• Junior Chelsea Cross (Champaign, Ill.) was the leading scorer with 11 points. 

MORE NEWS AND NOTES

NEW YEAR
First-year head coach Mark Kost and the Prairie Stars look to record their first win against Bellarmine and Southern Indiana since joining the GLVC in 2009.

BOARDS ARE KEY
The Prairie Stars are 3-2 on the season despite getting out rebounded by their opponents. UIS will look for their leading rebounder, Syerra Cunningham to control the boards.

GLVC OPENERS
UIS is 2-4 in GLVC openers dating back to 2009. The Prairie Stars look for great defense and rebounding to defeat the Knights and Screaming Eagles.

D.E.F.E.N.S.E
The Prairie Stars will have to play tough defense in their first two GLVC games of the season. Bellarmine averages 85.7 points per game while Southern Indiana averages 75.

SHARING THE LOVE
UIS is 3-0 when having two or more players score in double digits and recording fewer turnovers than their opponents. The Prairie Stars have one player averaging double digit points. Taking care of the ball and a balanced offense will help lead UIS to a victory.

SCOUTING BELLARMINE

• Bellarmine is 3-0 to start their 2015-16 season.
• The Knights are averaging over 85 points per game this season.
• Sarah Galvin leads the team in points per game (18.3), steals (12), and rebounds (22).
• The Knights are 2-0 at home this year and were 7-5 at Knights Hall last season.

• Southern Indiana is 4-1 this season with a perfect 3-0 home record. 
• USI has four players averaging double-digit points led by Hannah Wascher (16.8). Wascher also leads the team in rebounds (44) and blocks (9).
• The Screaming Eagles average 75 points a game while allowing their opponents to score an average of 57 points. 
• Southern Indiana is out rebounding their opponents, 39.4 to 29.6.