DAYTONA BEACH, FL -  The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) women's basketball team took down Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a 72-54 victory during the Daytona Beach Shootout on Monday.
 
"That was a great performance by our team against a very good opponent," UIS coach Mark Kost said. "We had a very long travel day [Sunday] and there are many distractions on a trip like this. Our team was able to show the toughness and focus it takes to be successful. It's enjoyable to work with a group like this."
 
The Prairie Stars (8-1) drilled 51.7 percent (30-of-58) of their shots from the field while the Eagles (8-2) hit 36.2 percent (21-of-58) of their attempts from the floor. UIS finished +11 on the boards, outrebounding Embry-Riddle by a 39-to-28 margin. Embry-Riddle is receiving votes in the latest Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) NCAA Division II poll.
 
Jasmine Sangster and Destiny Ramsey each paced the Prairie Stars with 16 points. Katelyn Rosner and Tehya Fortune tallied 10 points apiece. Reje Pitchford contributed seven points, Shelbi Patterson provided six points, Val Meissner tallied five points and Grace Weber rounded out the UIS scoring effort with two points. Patterson added nine rebounds and Fortune dished out four assists.
 
Tera Field led the Eagles with 14 points. Sabrina Whiting produced 12 points. Nicole Tucker recorded six rebounds, Lauren Ellenberger notched four assists and Ashley McWilliams collected three steals.
 
UIS hit 4-of-13 (30.8 percent) shots from 3-point range while Embry-Riddle made 2-of-17 (11.8 percent) attempts from the perimeter. The Eagles drained 10-of-11 (90.9 percent) shots from the free-throw line while the Prairie Stars sank 8-of-13 (61.5 percent) attempts from the charity stripe.

UIS held a 15-12 lead through the first quarter. The Prairie Stars pulled ahead to a 41-27 advantage at halftime. UIS maintained a 63-43 lead through three quarters and Embry-Riddle outscored UIS 11-9 in the fourth quarter.
 
The Prairie Stars close out the Daytona Beach Shootout on Tuesday when they take on Angelo State University (6-2) at 1:15 p.m. ET.
 
"We have to get ready for another challenge versus Angelo State."
 
UIS GAME NOTES
Among UIS Division II career leaders, Patterson ranks sixth in rebounds (325) and fifth in defensive rebounds (228). Fortune also ranks 10th in UIS Division II history with 79 assists.