SPRINGFIELD, IL --- The Prairie Stars (7-6, 1-4) fell in their first Great Lakes Valley Conference road game of the year by a score of 62-55 to William Jewell (6-7, 3-3). Tehya Fortune led Illinois Springfield with 14 points while Syerra Cunningham scored nine points and grabbed 11 rebounds. UIS trailed by five at the half but used a 21-point third quarter to take a five point lead heading into the final ten minutes.

Up eight with 5:39 remaining, William Jewell went on a 16-1 run to take a 58-51 lead with under a minute to go to close out the game.

The Cardinals opened the game on a quick 7-2 run in the first two minutes of the game but UIS came right back with a 10-2 run for the remainder of the quarter to take a 12-9 lead. Fortune ended the first quarter with a layup with three seconds remaining to close out the run.

Jewell opened the second quarter with a 10-0 run to take a 19-12 advantage before Fortune ended that run with a three halfway through the quarter. Fortune then closed the half out by scoring five straight points for UIS to bring the score to 26-21 in favor of the home team.

As stated, UIS scored 21 points in the third quarter alone to take control, using a 10-0 run in the middle of the quarter to take a 33-30 lead, ending with a layup from Caroline Kelty. UIS increased their lead to as much as five in the quarter where it stayed as Shelbi Patterson hit the final basket before the fourth to give UIS a 42-37 advantage.

In the final ten minutes, UIS led 50-42 with 5:39 remaining but went cold, committing three turnovers and missing all four of their shots over the next five minute span. Cunningham would end the drought with 30 seconds remaining, cutting the deficit to 58-53 but Jewell responded with making six of their final eight free throws to close out the game.

Fortunes 14 points was her third highest point total of the season behind a 21 point game against Missouri Southern and 15 point game against Hillsdale. It's the second straight GLVC game in which she reached double-figures. With her 11 rebounds, Cunningham now sits just eight rebounds shy of the all-time UIS record.

UIS will look to bounce back from the loss on Saturday as they travel to Rockhurst to close out the road trip. Due to possible inclement weather, the game has been moved up to a 12:00 pm start.