ROMEOVILLE, IL --- The Prairie Stars (8-11, 2-9) went into Neil Carey Arena and gave (RV) Lewis University (16-5, 8-3) everything they could handle but came up short, falling 71-63. Illinois Springfield took a three-point lead in the second quarter but Lewis took a three point lead into the half and a late UIS rally came up short. Destiny Ramsey led the way with 19 points for UIS while Syerra Cunningham notched her 10^th double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

UIS began the game trailing 7-2 after three quick bucks from the Flyers in the first two minutes. Ramsey netted the first four points for UIS before Shelbi Patterson connected with a bucket to cut the deficit to one. The Prairie Stars ended the first quarter trailing 20-13 after Lewis scored the final four points of the quarter.

Down seven, UIS began the second quarter with a 7-0 run, starting with a three from Tehya Fortune and ending with a three from Lanie Hicks, two of the key freshman on this years squad. Tied at 20, the two teams traded baskets before Fortune connected again, giving UIS their first lead of the game at 25-22. The Flyers closed the half on an 8-2 run to take a 20-27 lead into the break.

Lewis increased their lead to as much as seven in the third quarter but in the final two minutes, Hicks connected with her second and third three's of the night to bring the Prairie Stars within one to begin the fourth at 49-48.
Lewis began the fourth on a 5-0 run before Cunningham stopped the run with a jumper to cut the deficit to 54-50. The Flyer lead got to nine but UIS battled back to cut it to 64-61 with less than a minute to play. Unfortunately, Lewis hit eight of their final nine free throw attempts in the final two minutes of the game to keep UIS at bay.

Ramsey's 19 point effort is her sixth straight game in double-figures and highest scoring output since she dropped 19 points at Oakland City University on December 12^th. It was her highest scoring output in the GLVC season while added two rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and two steals. This was her eighth game of the season recording at least one stat in each of those five categories.

Cunningham --- who leads the GLVC in double-doubles and rebounds --- got back to form with a 14 points, 10 rebound effort adding an assist, block, and three steals. It was her tenth double-double of the season. Of her ten rebounds, four were on the offensive side, giving her 247 career offensive boards, tying her for the most in UIS history.

Hicks, a freshman from Tinley Park, Illinois, hit 3-of-5 from deep for a career-high nine points. It was her first game this season connecting on multiple three's.

UIS will return home on Thursday to try and end a four-game slide as they take on the University of Missouri-St. Louis at 5:30 PM and then welcome in Maryville for a 1:00 PM tip on Saturday.