SPRINGFIELD, IL --- The Prairie Stars (6-2, 1-0) will put their six-game winning streak on the line as they welcome in the Hawks of Rockhurst University (4-4, 1-1) on Thursday night. This will serve as the final GLVC game of the calendar year as the Stars will play three more non-conference games prior to the end of 2017.
SETTING THE SCENE
The Prairie Stars (6-2, 1-0) are winners of their last six games, their longest such streak since 2008-09. With a win, UIS can match the second-longest streak in program history, which was set in the aforementioned season of 08-09. The longest winning streak was set at 11 games from February 1, 2007 – March 14, 2007.
Rockhurst (4-4, 1-1) enters having dropped three of their last four games, picking up their lone victory with an 82-66 win at home against Quincy. This will be the first GLVC road game for the Hawks, who hosted both Quincy and Maryville last week to open the conference season.
DURING THE STREAK
During the current six-game winning streak, the Prairie Stars have outscored their opponents by an average margin of 20.2 points. UIS has averaged 90.7 points per game while holding their opponents to just over 70.
Eddie Longmeyer leads the way with 20.3 points per game during the streak and five players are averaging in double-figures.
As a team, the Prairie Stars are shooting 49.0 percent and have dished out 119 assists opposite just 85 turnovers. On the flip side, UIS has forced 101 turnovers and is holding opponents to a mere 40.3 shooting percentage and 28.1 mark from three.
BALANCED ATTCAK
Longmeyer leads the way offensively for the Prairie Stars, averaging 18.3 points per game on the season.
Lijah Donnelly, who has appeared in every game and made two starts, ranks second with 10.9 points per game, up two points from his freshman campaign.
With that, five Prairie Stars average at least 9.0 points per game, including freshman guard
Aundrae Williams (9.8) and transfer forward
Gilwan Nelson (9.0).
The Prairie Stars shoot 46.6 percent from the field and have dished out 143 assists on the year, 35 of which, came off the hands of junior point guard,
Logan Gonce. His 35 assists rank third in the league and his 4.4 assists per game rank fifth. With that, Gonce has an assist/turnover ratio of 2.5, good for seventh in the GLVC.
HE DOES IT ALL
Eddie Longmeyer currently leads the Prairie Stars in points (18.3), rebounds (7.6), field goal percentage (55.8), steals (13), and blocks (4). Additionally, he plays 29.6 minutes per game, the most on the squad.
Longmeyer is joined by Nolan Berry as one of two players to appear in the top-ten in the GLVC in both points and rebounds.
A LOOK AT THE HAWKS
Rockhurst also squared off against Southern Illinois in an exhibition game this year, falling 68-98. Even though it's tough to compare exhibition games, UIS lost to the same Southern Illinois team 69-64 and had a lead with just over two minutes remaining. This is the only like opponent these two teams have faced this season.
The Hawks are one of seven teams with a negative point differential this season, sitting at -3.6 points. Additionally, they shoot just 43.4 percent from the field and 34.0 percent from three.
Rockhurst is led by Auston Rushing who puts in 12.3 points per game but is followed closely by four teammates who average at least 10 points per game. Alex Hagan grabs 9.1 rebounds per game, good for fifth best in the GLVC.
MEDIA CENTRAL
UIS Game Notes
Rockhurst Game Notes
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COMING UP NEXT
UIS will close out the 2017 calendar year with three non-conference games, starting with a road game at Kentucky State on December 9
th. The Prairie Stars will return home for their final two games, taking on Glenville State on December 16
th and Lincoln Christian on December 18
th.
The full slate of GLVC games will control the second half of the season, which will begin on January 4
th at Lewis University. UIS will return home for GLVC play on January 11
th against Missouri-St. Louis.
