FINDLAY, OHIO --- The Prairie Stars (0-1) officially opened their season after two exhibition match-ups with Division I opponents with an 81-57 loss to Findlay University. Three Prairie Stars scored in double-figures but a big first half was enough to propel the Oilers past UIS in the season opener. Eddie Longmeyer and Paxton Harmon each scored 11 points to lead the Prairie Stars.

After missing their first shot of the game, the Oilers hit their next seven from the field to jump out to an early 16-5 lead. The deficit grew to 18 before Bahari Amaya and Lijah Donnelly connected on back-to-back three's to cut the Oiler lead to 12 at 25-13 with just under 11 minutes to go in the half.

UIS made another run late in the half with three's from Vince Walker and Harmon but the Prairie Stars couldn't cut the lead to less than 11 and went into the half down 17.

In the second half, UIS got the deficit to 13 with 8:32 remaining on a layup from Longmeyer but the Oilers held their ground, not allowing the Prairie Stars back into the game.

UIS shot 38 percent from the field but connected for 53 percent from deep, hitting 9-of-17 from three. However, UIS was outscored from the free throw line 12-to-4 and lost the battle of the boards 48-to-29. Seven different Prairie Stars recorded an assist in the game, led by Longmeyer and Donnelly who had three each.

The Prairie Stars will play their third game in four days on Monday as they host Illinois College in their home opener. Tip-off is set for 7 PM at The Recreation and Athletic Center as the two teams will meet on the hardwood for the first time.