SPRINGFIELD, IL --- The Prairie Stars' season has been riddled with tough losses, but tonight, UIS (11-15, 5-11) came out victorious with a 86-81 win over Southern Indiana (16-10, 8-8) as they continue to make a push for one of the final spots in the GLVC conference tournament. Jamall Millison led all scorers with 24 points on the night and JJ Cravatta added 18 more as they combined to make 20-of-22 free throws on the game. Davi Austin had 14 points and four assists while Zach Steinberg had a big night with 15 points and eight rebounds off the bench.

Southern Indiana jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead before Bahari Amaya put the Prairie Stars on the board with three straight points. UIS fell behind by as much as eight before going on a 13-5 run to tie the game at 18-18 after ten minutes had passed. The two teams went back-and-forth until Cravatta connected on the second of two free throws to give the Prairie Stars a 29-28 advantage at the 3:50 mark.

UIS would lead by as much as seven before two late free throws cut the lead to five at the half.

Five times the Prairie Stars held a lead at halftime at home this season, and all five times they came out victorious. Of the ten times they have led at halftime, home or away, they have won nine of those games.

The Prairie Stars held around a seven point lead for the majority of the ten minutes before Alex Stein converted a three-point play t cut the lead to just two with 8:34 remaining.

Southern Indiana trailed 61-59 with 7:15 left and then game picked up even more. The Screaming Eagles hit a three from the top of the key to take their first lead since the opening half but Steinberg responded on the next possession to take the lead right back. On the ensuing possession, Southern Indiana hit another three, but not to be outdone, Millison came right back, connected with a three, got fouled, and completed the four-point play. That gave UIS a 68-65 lead, and one they would not relinquish.

Millison and Cravatta hit all 13 free throw attempts in the final six minutes, while no other Prairie Star even attempted one, eliminating any chance at a comeback for the Screaming Eagles. The clutch play of the two seniors, plus a big second half from Austin, pushed the Prairie Stars to a much needed close victory, winning for just the second time on a Thursday night.

Millison tallied 24 points on the night, hitting 6-of-13 from the field an 9-of-10 from the free throw line. Cravatta was 3-of-7 from the field and 11-of-20 from the charity stripe in an 18 points effort while freshman standout Steinberg had 15 points and eight rebounds, three of which came on the offensive side. Paxton Harmon added four rebounds, two assists, and two steals off the bench, while playing clutch minutes down the stretch.

Currently, the Prairie Stars are tied for 11^th in the conference and hold their own destiny pertaining to making the GLVC tournament. They are tied with McKendree and UMSL, who both hold the tie breaker over UIS but hold a game on Saint Joseph's and Missouri S&T, who the Prairie Stars beat.

The Prairie Stars will host #11 Bellarmine on Saturday, which will also serve as senior day for the Prairie Stars. UIS fell at Bellarmine earlier this season, 72-62 in Louisville, Kentucky. The senior day ceremony will take place prior to the start of the men's game, coinciding with the women's recognition as well.