SPRINGFIELD, IL --- Facing their toughest test of the season to date, the Prairie Stars fell to #9 Lewis University 63-41 in what was a competitive game all the way through. The University of Illinois Springfield (6-11, 1-9) hung close in the first half but were unable to slow down the relentless offensive attack of the Flyers (19-1, 10-0) as they notched their 14
th straight win.
The two teams traded baskets to open the game before Lewis took a 12-6 lead on a 6-0 run.
Ashley McHenry closed out the opening quarter by drawing a foul as time expired and sank both free throws to push the score to 16-10.
In the second quarter, the Prairie Stars made their presence known and rattled off a 9-0 run to take their first lead at 19-18.
Leslie Hairston and
Caroline Kelty each split free throw attempts before
Syerra Cunningham made back-to-back layups on consecutive possessions. Kelty finished off the run with a three to take the lead with under five minutes to go in the half.
Lewis would finish the half on a 9-2 run and take a 27-21 lead into the break.
UIS continued to fight though as a 12-point Lewis lead was quickly cut into by a layup from
Chelsea Cross and a three from
Meredith Marti. At 33-26, the Prairie Stars were hanging tough with the ninth ranked team in the nation.
Mariyah Brawner – Henley and Jessica Kelliher would not be denied though and rattled off 16 of the 19 points that Lewis scored in the quarter. The tandem on the block played tough and pushed the Flyers' lead to 46-33 at the end of three quarters.
Lewis increased their lead to as much as 23, but that did not directly show how close the game was throughout the half. The Prairie Stars missed some scoring chances and scored just two points in the final 3:14 of the game.
On the game, Cunningham led the way with a team-high 14 points and eight rebounds. Kelty added nine points off the bench for the Prairie Stars, including making two of the teams three three pointers.
UIS will look to rebound from the tough loss on Saturday as they take on Wisconsin – Parkside at 1 pm.
