SPRINGFIELD, IL --- The University of Illinois Springfield (8-16, 2-14) fought back to erase a 14-point halftime deficit and force the game to overtime against the University of Southern Indiana (13-11, 6-10). Morgan Knorr had a look from the corner three to win the game with two seconds remaining, but fired long, only to have Shelbi Patterson tip the ball in at the buzzer. Initially, the basket was ruled good, but upon further review, the officials waved off the basket and the Prairie Stars fell by a score of 77-75.

The Prairie Stars had a lackluster start to the game, falling behind 17-2 in the first six and a half minute, surrendering a 15-0 run to the Screaming Eagles, who made eight of their first nine shots from the field. The Prairie Stars ended the quarter down 28-15, showing signs of life against the Southern Indiana defense.

UIS scored just 11 points in the second quarter and fell behind by 14 at the half. Southern Indiana shot 63 percent from the field in the opening half, including 4-of-6 from three. Meredith Marti had a huge first half, making 3-of-5 from deep for nine points, virtually keeping the Prairie Stars in the game.

The second half was a role reversal, as the Prairie Stars fought hard for the entire final 20 minutes of the half. Playing like a team who needed a win to stay in the playoff hunt, the Prairie Stars used a 23-point third quarter to cut into the deficit by seven points, erasing half of the halftime lead. The Prairie Stars had no big run during the quarter, but just chipped away at the deficit until Patterson and Kelty hit back-to-back jumpers in the final minute to take the momentum into the fourth quarter.

The Screaming Eagles came out and stretched their lead back to nine in a minute's time and led 60-51. Then, the Prairie Stars finally got the run they needed all night. Starting with a jumper from Knorr, Syerra Cunningham followed with a layup after an offensive rebound and then Patterson hit one of her two threes of the night to cut the lead to just 60-58 with over six minutes remaining. Marti closed the run with another three as the Prairie Stars took their first lead of the game at 61-60.

The two teams traded blows the final four minutes until the Prairie Stars held a 65-64 lead with 12 seconds remaining. Southern Indiana's Tanner Marcum took the inbounds pass and went straight to the hoop and made a layup, giving the Screaming Eagles a one-point lead. On the ensuing possession, Patterson had a look from the baseline to win it, but missed her mark, just to have Kelty come up with another offensive rebound, get fouled and go to the line for two shots.
Kelty missed her first but hit the second to tie the game and send the game to overtime --- the first time all season that the Prairie Stars needed extra time.

In overtime, Southern Indiana took a five point lead with 2:25 remaining but as they had all night, the Prairie Stars came right back, starting with a three from Marti --- her fifth of the night. On the next Southern Indiana possession, Patterson came up with a steal, leading to a game-tying layup from Ashley McHenry, as the Prairie Stars completed a 5-0 run.

The Screaming Eagles connected on one of two free throw attempts on two occasions and took a 77-75 lead into the final seven seconds.   After a timeout, he Prairie Stars found Knorr in the far corner for an open look for the win, but the shot attempt went long. Patterson though, was there for the rebound, and in one motion, grabbed the board and tipped it in as the buzzer went off. The shot was called good but after going to the monitor, the referees waved off the basket and the game ended 77-75.

The Prairie Stars had five players score in double-figures, including another double-double from Cunningham, who had 12 points and 14 rebounds. Patterson led the way with 18 points, grabbed two rebounds, had three assists, and two steals. Marti hit 5-of-10 from three on the night, putting her tied for third in the GLVC in total three's. Knorr notched ten points on the night, matching her career-high and Kelty added ten points on just four shots off the bench while picking up four steals.

UIS will host Bellarmine on Saturday at 1 pm for senior day, where four seniors --- Knorr, Marti, Hairston, McHenry --- will be recognized in between the men's and women's games.