SPRINGFIELD, IL --- The Prairie Stars (5-3) opened the Kentucky Wesleyan Classic with a 70-54 win over Trevecca Nazarene. Illinois Springfield outscored the Trojans in three of the four quarters, including a 24-point final frame to outlast Trevecca. Shelbi Patterson and Destiny Ramsey each scored 15 points to lead the way offensively while Patterson tied her career-high with five steals and Ramsey did the same with four blocks.

Both teams began slow on the offensive end, as the score was just 2-2 after just over three minutes of play to begin the game. Tied 6-6, UIS went on a 6-0 run on baskets from Ramsey, Jasmine Sangster, and Reje Pitchford before Tehya Fortune finished off the quarter with two free throws to give UIS a 14-11 lead.

UIS retained the lead throughout the second quarter and extended that lead to as much as seven with 3:30 remaining in the half on a jumper from Fortune. However, Trevecca closed the quarter on a 10-4 run, including a three at the buzzer, to cut the UIS lead to 26-25 at the halfway mark.

Trevecca took their first lead since the early goings on the game with a basket to begin the second half, but UIS responded with a three from Patterson to retake the lead. The two teams traded baskets before UIS Fortune and Caroline Kelty hit back-to-back threes to give UIS a five-point lead with just over five minutes to play in the third.

Patterson ended the quarter with another three to extend the lead back to seven but a late free throw cut the lead to six with ten minutes to play.

Up 46-42, UIS used a 13-1 run to break the game open and take a 59-43 lead with just over half the time remaining in the final quarter. The Prairie Stars extended their lead to a game-high 17 points in the final two minutes of the game before closing the game out for their fifth win of the season.

Ramsey put together her fourth game of the season in which she recorded at least 10 points, four rebounds, an assist, block, and steal as she continues to fill up the stat sheet. Patterson tied her career-high with five steals, matching her mark for the first time since November 24^th of 2014 during her freshman campaign.

Four Prairie Stars scored in double-figures including 12 from freshman Jasmine Sangster, who set a career-best with the effort.

UIS will conclude the Kentucky Wesleyan Classic as they take on the host school at 1:00 pm ET. UIS is 0-3 all-time against Kentucky Wesleyan but haven't matched up since the 2012-13 season.