LEBANON, IL --- Syerra Cunningham is now the all-time leader in rebounds for the UIS women's basketball program after collecting 16 boards in a 59-53 victory at McKendree. The senior from Beach Park, Illinois needed just five to break the mark coming into the game but put together her third best rebounding performance of the season to will the Prairie Stars to the victory. 

The Prairie Stars struggled early, scoring just eight points in the opening quarter, trailing by five after the first ten minutes. After a 14-pointn second quarter, UIS went into the half trailing by seven as McKendree kept the UIS offense at bay, holding the Prairie Stars to just 35 percent from the field and 0-for-4 from deep.

In the third quarter, UIS cut the McKendree lead to 30-28 after Destiny Ramsey connected with a jumper at the 7:56 mark but the Bearcats responded with an 8-0 run to lead by ten. Down 42-32 with 2:06 left in the third, UIS scored the last five points of the third quarter on a three from Caroline Kelty and fast break layup from Ramsey off a Cunningham block.

This was the beginning of an 18-0 run from the Prairie Stars, one that would see them trail by ten and finish with them leading by eight with 6:17 remaining in the final quarter. During the run, UIS held the Bearcats scoreless for over six minutes and forced five turnovers.

UIS never allowed McKendree to get within four in the final minutes of the game, coming up with clutch shot after clutch shot as Cunningham continued to be a force down low, bringing to seven rebounds in the final six and half minutes of play.

With her 16 rebounds, Cunningham is now the all-time leader in defensive rebounds and total rebounds, passing Elizabeth Kelly, who played for UIS from 2011-14. Cunningham now has 636 career rebounds, surpassing the previous record of 625.

UIS improves their record to 8-7, 2-5 on the season, matching both their overall win and conference win record from last season with 11 games remaining. McKendree falls to 9-7, 0-6 on the season with the loss.

UIS will return home after a three-game road trip to face Saint Joseph's and the University of Indianapolis on Thursday and Saturday.