SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The University of Illinois Springfield women's basketball team begins a four-game homestand this weekend when it hosts William Jewell and Rockhurst. Game times are set for Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m., respectively.

Quick Hits
•    The Prairie Stars are 5-16 and on a season-long nine-game slide after falling to Missouri S&T, 70-82, last Thursday.
•    William Jewell dropped its last three games and is in sixth place in the GLVC West with a 6-7 conference record.
•    At home this season, the Prairie Stars are scoring 64 points per game while allowing just 54 points per game.
•    Last season, the Prairie Stars defeated William Jewell, 83-65 behind 26 points from Megan Bergerud. Senior Cassie Wolfe (Plainfield, Ill.) finished with seven points and eight rebounds.

News and Notes

D-D-D...Defense
The Prairie Stars rank in the top half of the conference in several defensive categories. UIS currenlty ranks eighth in scoring defense (64.9 ppg), fourth in field goal defense (38.6 percent), third in three-point defense (30.0 percent) and eighth in blocked shots per game (2.95).

It's Finally February
UIS struggled during the month of January, going 1-10 with its lone conference win coming at home against Truman State, 72-57. The Prairie Stars were in the same position last season and picked up two wins in the month of February.

Shooters Shoot
The Prairie Stars are 4-1 this season when shooting at least 45 percent. The last time UIS hit that mark was on January 17 against Lewis when the team shot 53 percent.

You Have to Score to Win
UIS is 16th in the GLVC in scoring offense this season at 59.2 points per game. However, in their most recent game, the Prairie Stars scored 70 points, their highest mark since scoring 82 on January 17 against top-ranked Lewis.

Owning the Glass
UIS ranks fourth in the GLVC in rebounding (40.6 rpg) and is fifth in rebounding margin (+5.0). The Prairie Stars are 5-8 this season when they outrebound their opponent. Syerra Cunningham (4th) and Jessica Warren (8th) rank in the top 10 of the GLVC in rebounding.

William Jewell (Division II Era):  Cardinals Leads Series 4-1
This is the sixth meeting between these two teams since the Prairie Stars joined Division II. Last times these two teams met, the Prairie Stars defeated the Cardinals 83-65 in Liberty, Mo.

This Season:
William Jewell is 11-10 this season with a 6-7 GLVC mark that include a 30-point win against Indianapolis and a 16-points win against Drury. The Cardinals have lost three straight and five of their last six. Aerial Smith leads the team in scoring at 12.7 points per game.