SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The University of Illinois Springfield men's basketball team has a spot in the GLVC Tournament to play for on Thursday against McKendree. Game time in Lebanon is set for 7 p.m. at the Statham Sports Center.

The hosts are looking to avenge an earlier season loss to the Prairie Stars when they snuck out a 67-63 win in Springfield on January 19. Junior Jamall Millison dropped 23 points in the victory, while Dylan Sparkman added 14. McKendree owned a nine-point lead in the first half, but UIS used an 18-4 run in the second half to grab the victory.

MUST WIN
The Prairie Stars are in a must-win situation at McKendree. The two teams are battling for the final spot in the GLVC Tournament as the 12th seed. If UIS wins, it will be the second straight season where it has came down to rival McKendree and the second straight season for a 12th seed.

FINAL COUNTDOWN
The Prairie Stars are losing two seniors after the seasons who have secured their spots in the UIS record books - Dylan Sparkman has more than 800 points and 500 rebounds, while Kentrell King has amassed more than 300 rebounds and assists in each category.

LAST 5
UIS owns a 3-2 edge against McKendree in their last five meetings.

HOLD ON TO THAT BALL
The Prairie Stars are 79th in the country and sixth in the GLVC for fewest turnovers.

LONG RANGE SHOOTER
Jamall Millison is 52nd in the countryin 3-pointers made per game and is first in the conference with 69.

GETTING AHEAD
UIS has held a lead in all but three games. Against UW-Parkside, the Stars were only able to get out in front once by one point.

COMING UP NEXT
With a win, UIS advances to the first round of the GLVC Tournament on March 1 at a campus site to be determined.

SCOUTING THE BEARCATS
Matt Holmes is a do-it-all guy as he is averaing 13.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game and shooting at a 59.5 percent clip. Three others join Holmes in double figures with Logan Carson leading the way with 15.5 points per contest. Brandon Book was averaging 15.2 points, but has only seen time in nine games. Michael Jackson rounds out the double-digit scorers with 13.2 points per game and is also a threat along with Carson behind the three-point line. Head coach Harry Statham is the all-time wins leader in men's college basketball history. In his 49th season, he has led the Bearcats to more than 1,000 victories.