SPRINGFIELD, IL --- The University of Illinois Springfield welcomes in Southern Indiana and #11 Bellarmine University for the final two home games of the 2015-16 season. The Prairie Stars are looking to make a late season push into the GLVC tournament for the sixth straight year and will try to defend their home court twice more against two GLVC east opponents.

SETTING THE SCENE
Overall Records (GLVC):

• #11 Bellarmine | 20-4 (13-2) | 1^st in GLVC East
• Southern Indiana | 16-9 (8-7) | 5^th in GLVC East
• Illinois Springfield | 10-15 (4-11) | 7^th in GLVC East

 
The Prairie Stars are coming off a split last week against Drury and Missouri S&T, both of which were at home. UIS fell to Drury 77-70 before coming from behind to beat Missouri S&T 78-74 and climbing out of the 8^th spot in the GLVC East.
 
KEY STATS AND RANKINGS
Scoring offense:

• Southern Indiana – 85.1 – (2^nd)
• Bellarmine – 81.0 – (8^th)
• Illinois Springfield – 77.8 – (12^th)

 
Scoring Defense:

• Bellarmine – 66.5 – (1^st)
• Southern Indiana – 77.3 – (8^th)
• Illinois Springfield – 77.5 – (9^th)

 
3-PT FG %:

• Bellarmine – 40.6 – (2^nd)
• Southern Indiana – 37.7 – (6^th)
• Illinois Springfield – 37.4 – (7^th)

 
Turnover Margin:

• Bellarmine -- 1.46 – (5^th)
• Illinois Springfield – 1.20 – (6^th)
• Southern Indiana – 0.04 – (10^th)

 
DIALING LONG DISTANCE
The Prairie Stars have made 202 three's this season, putting them fourth in the GLVC. Making 8.08 per game, they are one of eight teams that connect for over eight three's per game. In two of the last three games, the Prairie Stars have shot over 50 percent from three and have made 27 three's in the past three games as well.

Jamall Millison leads the way with 47 three's this season, and he also holds the all-time UIS three-point mark, connecting on 184 for his career. Bahari Amaya hits 44 percent of his three's and has made 34 on the season, putting him second on the team and two ahead of senior guard, JJ Cravatta who shoots at a 42 percent clip.
 

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Southern Indiana
Southern Indiana comes into the game with a 16-9 record and has already clinched a berth into the GLVC tournament. The Screaming Eagles have split their last six games, alternating wins and losses. Averaging over 85 points a game, Southern Indiana ranks just second to Quincy in scoring offense per game.

Leading Scorer: Jeril Taylo – 16.4 (9^th in GLVC)
Leading Rebounder: Jeril Taylor – 6.8 (6^th in GLVC)
Leading Assists: Bobo Drummond – 3.5

Bellarmine
The Knights come into the game winners of six of their last seven games and jumping two spots in the NABC national rankings. Bellarmine now sits 11^th in the nation with a 20-4 record and are tied atop the GLVC east standings with UW – Parkside.

Leading Scorer: Rusty Troutman – 18.8 (6^th in GLVC)
Leading Rebounder: Yasin Kolo – 6.2 (14^th in GLVC)
Leading Assists: Michael Parris – 3.79 (9^th in GLVC)

SERIES HISTORY
UIS is 2-8 all-time against Southern Indiana, last winning in 2013. The Prairie Stars have dropped the last three meetings with the Screaming Eagles, two of which were on the road, including an 85-64 loss in Evansville earlier this season. In that game, both Bahari Amaya and Jesse Tesmer reached double-figures but a 3-of-17 team effort from three negated any comeback the Prairie Stars had.

UIS is 0-7 against Bellarmine but has only faced the Knights at home, twice in the seven games. The last time these two teams matched up, it was the GLVC opener earlier this season for both teams and Bellarmine came out a 72-62 winner. Millison had a team high 20 points and Richard Freeman added 14 and eight rebounds.

COMING UP NEXT
The Prairie Stars will close out their regular season schedule with a road game at McKendree next Thursday night. The Prairie Stars are looking to make it to their fifth straight GLVC tournament and will need to close out the season strong to finish in the top-12. They currently sit in a four-way tie in 11^th place with Saint Joseph's, Missouri S&T, and UMSL.