SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The University of Illinois Springfield men's basketball takes off for its final two-game road trip of the season when the Prairie Stars head to Drury and Missouri S&T on Thursday and Saturday, respectively.

UIS looks to snap a three-game losing streak including two against nationally-ranked Indianapolis (No. 1) and Bellarmine (No. 6).

Last season, the Prairie Stars dropped both meetings against Drury - the last coming in the GLVC quarterfinals. On the flip side, UIS took down Missouri S&T, 85-75, in Springfield, Ill.

WALKER CONNECTION
On Saturday, UIS head coach Bill Walker will be the first former Miner to face his alma mater in a head coaching capacity. Walker played for the Miners from 1984-87 and averaged 9.1 points a game in that span.

FOLLOW THE SHOT
The Prairie Stars are 7-2 when they outrebound their opponent. On the flip side, if their foes grab more boards, UIS is just 1-9.

THAT'S OUR BALL
The Prairie Stars have greatly improved ball control as they currently rank in the top of the conference for fewest turnovers. They recorded 10 or less in eight games this year. Last season UIS ranked 11th in the GLVC in turnovers per game.

SCOUTING DRURY
The Panthers currently are 14-6 on the year and 8-3 in leage action. Cameron Adams tops the team with 17.5 ppg while Kameron Bundy is adding 17.4. Two of the Panthers last three games went to overtime, with DU pulling out victories in both. As a team, Drury is shooting 48 percent to rank seventh in the conference.

SCOUTING MISSOURI S&T
The Miners come into play this week looking to end a nine-game losing streak and pick up their first Great Lakes Valley Conference win at home this year.  S&T is 8-11 overall and 1-10 in conference play after suffering home setbacks last week to Quincy and Truman State. Desmond Buerge is averaging 13.3 points per game and is joined in double figures by Zach Ellis, with his average of 12.5 points a game.  Ellis has been part of a solid bench attack for the Miners this season, as the S&T reserves have averaged 34.4 points per game or 41.8 percent of the points for the GLVC's third-highest scoring team.

COMING UP NEXT
The Prairie Stars return to TRAC for their next four GLVC contests as they face off with GLVC West division foes Rockhurst and William Jewell before taking on pod-members Lewis and UW-Parkside. The homestand begins on Thursday, February 12.