SPRINGFIELD, IL --- The Prairie Stars (8-8, 2-6) led for the majority of the game against the Saint Joseph Puma's (8-10, 4-4), but a nine-point fourth quarter allowed the visitors to take the game by a score of 65-56. Tehya Fortune led the way for UIS with 17 points, her second highest output of the season while Destiny Ramsey added 14 points and eight rebounds.

UIS began the game on a 9-0 run, hitting two of their first three shots and four free throws in the first three minutes. An 8-2 run for the Puma's cut the deficit to 11-8, but UIS extended their lead back to seven after the first quarter.

A layup by Shelbi Patterson halfway through the second increased the UIS advantage to nine and then two possessions later, Fortune connected on one of her three three's of the night to give UIS a ten-point lead. Up ten with 1:09 in the half, Saint Joseph's score the final four points of the half, trailing just six at the break.

The Prairie Stars extended their lead to 11, their second largest lead of the game, in the third quarter with just 1:20 remaining. Again having trouble closing out the quarter, the Puma's notched the final five points of the quarter to trail just 47-41 heading to the fourth.

A three-pointer from the Puma's capped a 15-0 run, giving the visitors a 51-47 lead, their first of the game, with 6:34 remaining. UIS would climb within one but Saint Joseph's hit five of their final six free throws to cap the game.

Stuck in foul trouble early, Syerra Cunningham played just 16 minutes, fouling out with 5:06 remaining in the game. The senior, and recently crowned UIS rebounding leader, scored six points and grabbed six boards.

Fortune scored 17 points on 5-of-12 shooting and 3-of-6 from deep, putting up her second highest scoring output of the year behind a 21-point effort against Missouri Southern on November 25^th. On the defensive end, Fortune added three steals in 32 minutes of play.

Patterson finished with eight points and eight rebounds while Caroline Kelty recorded a team-high four steals.

UIS will stay home to face the University of Indianapolis on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 1:00 PM.