SPRINGFIELD, IL --- Not only did Brandon Van Sant have the best game of his career at Illinois Springfield, he had the play of the night, completing an alley-oop from Vince Walker in the closing minutes of the game. Van Sant scored 22 points on the night to lead UIS (5-2) to a 90-71 victory over Lindenwood-Belleville (2-6).

The Prairie Stars picked up their fifth consecutive win, doing so for the first time since the 2008-09 season, before they transitioned to the Division II level. Illinois Springfield now sits 5-2 on the season and owns the third longest winning streak in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

Contrary to the last couple of games, UIS got off to a great start, taking a 6-4 lead early after the first media timeout. Lindenwood-Belleville rallied to take an 11-8 lead but UIS scored seven straight, ending with a layup from Eddie Longmeyer to take a 15-11 advantage. From there, UIS would not give up the lead and would stretch their advantage to a 44-33 stake at half.

In the first half alone, Longmeyer had eight points and nine rebounds while Van Sant was a perfect 4-for-4 from the field and from the line for 12 total points.

UIS stretched their lead to as much as 25 in the second half with just under four minutes to play as Van Sant ended the night with 22 points, five rebounds, and one block while shooting 9-of-11 from the floor. The biggest highlight came with just over three minutes to play when Collin Stallworth broke a press, dished to Vince Walker, who then laid a perfect pass to Van Sant for the two handed alley-oop, putting the final touches on what would be a 19-point victory.

"I've been out the past couple games with an injury but was really ready to get back in there and play as hard as I can," said Van Sant. "The coaches have been telling us we need to get to the rim more and tonight, I feel like we accomplished that. It was definitely one of my best dunks since I've been at UIS."

Longmeyer finished the night with his third double-double of the season, collecting 13 points and 10 rebounds. Gilwan Nelson had 14 points while Aundrae Williams added 10 points and three assists off the bench. Logan Gonce continued his brilliant point guard play, directing the offense tonight to its fourth 90-point game of the season. On the night, Gonce tallied nine points, five assists, three rebounds, and two steals.

With the win, UIS collected their fifth straight victory, accomplishing the feat for the first time since the 2008-09 season when they were still apart of the American Midwest Conference in the NAIA, which Lindenwood-Belleville belongs to now.

This win takes the Prairie Stars into GLVC play, where they will open up on Saturday when they travel to Missouri S&T for a 7:30 PM tip. The Miners enter the game with a 1-4 record and have dropped their last two regular season games.