SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Prairie Stars (6-12, 1-10) made a late run at Wisconsin – Parkside (12-7, 6-5) but it wasn't enough as UIS fell 70-53 to the Rangers. Down 19 at the half, UIS outscored the Rangers in both the final quarters but fell short as they closed out the two-game home stand.

Wisconsin – Parkside opened up the game with an 13-4 run and the Prairie Stars were never really able to recover. The Prairie Stars fell down 20-11 after the first quarter though Syerra Cunningham picked up where she left off against Lewis and scored five quick points in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Meredith Marti hit a three at the 7:33 mark but that was all the scoring that UIS would get until under two minutes remained when Cunningham converted a layup from Marti. Shelbi Patterson closed out the half with a deep three to cut the deficit to 40-21. UIS shot just 35 percent from the field opposed to Wisconsin – Parkside, who hit nearly 60 percent of their shots in the first 20 minutes.

The deficit would grow to as much as 24 in the third quarter before the Prairie Stars began their second half run. Down 45-21, UIS cut the deficit to 18 by the end of the third quarter.

Chelsea Cross began the final quarter with a jumper before McHenry hit back-to-back baskets to push the score to 50-38. Down just 12 with still over eight minutes remaining, the Prairie Stars were back in the game. McHenry finished another layup on a fast break and cut the deficit to under ten but Wisconsin – Parkside would not let it get any closer than that.

UIS would fall 70-53 behind 14 points from McHenry. Cunningham added 11 points and a game-high eight rebounds. The Prairie Stars moved the ball well, totaling 14 assists on 20 made shots and had less turnovers than the Rangers. Wisconsin – Parkside ended the game shooting over 50 percent from the field and a perfect 13-of-13 from the line.

UIS will now head on the road for three consecutive games, including their final non-conference match-up against Oakland City on Monday. UIS beat Oakland City on December 19^th,71-61. Following that game, the Prairie Stars will travel to Maryville and UMSL, who are sixth and eighth in the GLVC west, respectively.