SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Despite leading for more than 30 minutes, the University of Springfield men's basketball team saw its chance at an upset slip away as Lewis took home an 83-78 victory on Thursday evening at The Recreation and Athletic Center.

Junior Jamall Millison (Bolingbrook, Ill.) scored a team-high 20 points, 19 of his points came in the first half, shooting 7-for-11 from the floor and 5-for-8 from long range. Classmate JJ Cravatta (Streator, Ill.) added 14 points on 5-for-8 from the floor with four rebounds. Sophomore Mark Weems (Chicago) and junior Davi Austin (Newark, N.J.) chipped in 12 and 10, respectively. Austin dished out five assits and had two steals in the loss.

In the early goings, the teams traded baskets before UIS got comfortable and took a nine-point lead, 28-19 on a pair of freebies from senior Dylan Sparkman (East Peoria, Ill.). Sparkman finished with nine points and five rebounds. The Flyers slowly chipped away at the Stars' advantage to come with one on a lay in from Max Strus, but Millison hit a three-ball to put the home team out from 37-33 to end the first half.

The Prairie Stars shot a blistering 54 percent in the opening stanza and 60 percent from long range. The Flyers were held to just one triple in the opening 20 minutes and shot 44 percent from the field.

Out of the break, UIS kept its distance until a three-pointer from Gabe Williams brought Lewis to within 44-43 at 13:39. A Cravatta jumper sparked a 10-3 run to give UIS a 54-46 advantage with 11 minutes to play. The visitors close the gap to two on a pair of free throws from leading scorer Ryan Jackson who finished 16-for-20 at the line.  Back-to-back layups from Williams gave the Flyers their first lead of the game, 65-63 with 3:56 to play.

UIS tied the game on a long ball from Cravatta with 1:41 to play, but it was not enough as Lewis hit a three on its next possession. The Flyers won the game from the charity stripe as they hit 12-of-14 attempts to close out the final minute of competition.

Jackson scored 30 total points, dished out six assists and had two steals. Williams finished with 15 points. Strus and Kyle Nelson each added 10 points. Lewis owned a 30-24 edge off the glass with Julian Lewis grabbing a game-high nine boards.

The Prairie Stars shot 50 percent from the floor on 26-of-52, while Lewis was 27-for-49 for the night for a 55 percent clip.

Illinois Springfield closes out the home slate on Saturday against No. 12 UW-Parkside. Game time is set for 3 p.m. Prior to tip off, UIS will recognize Sparkman and Kentrell King for senior day.