SPRINGFIELD, IL --- The Prairie Stars (8-12, 2-10) erased an early 12-point deficit to take a lead in the final minutes, but the University of Missouri – St. Louis (10-10, 5-7) ended up on top 77-73.
Destiny Ramsey scored a career-high 24 points on 12-of-14 shooting from the field and grabbed eight boards. Five Prairie Stars reached double-figures in the loss.
The Tritons jumped out to a 17-8 lead after six minutes of play and took a 25-13 lead after ten minutes of play. In the second quarter, UIS used a 7-0 run with two minutes remaining to cut the UMSL lead to just one with a minute to play but ended the half down 39-37.
The Prairie Stars tied the game for the first time since the 5:38 mark in the first quarter on a three from
Lanie Hicks with 6:25 remaining in the third, then tied the game again at 48 and once more at 50 but couldn't take the lead in the third. UIS went into the final frame trailing 55-53 after two free throws from
Syerra Cunningham closed out the third.
Ramsey continued her hot shooting night in the final quarter and gave UIS their first lead since the opening quarter with 4:50 remaining. UIS fell behind but a three from
Tehya Fortune and a subsequent 7-2 run gave UIS a 69-66 lead with 2:28 to play.
UMSL responded with a 4-0 run to take a lead with just over a minute to play and wound up leading by three with 15 seconds left. Head coach
Mark Kost called a timeout to set up a play, and got a look for three from the top of the key for Hicks, but the game-tying shot rimmed out, securing the win for UMSL.
There were just 12 total turnovers in the game --- seven for UIS and five for UMSL. UIS accumulated 16 assists, their second best assist/turnover ratio on the season, second only to a 25/12 effort at Quincy.
Shelbi Patterson added 12 points and three assists while Fortune ran the point with 11 points and career-high seven assists. Cunningham added 11 points, six boards, and three blocks while Hicks hit two three's and totaled ten points in 22 minutes on the court.
UIS will look to end a five-game skid as they take on Maryville University on Saturday. Tip-off is schedule for 1 PM.
