SPRINGFIELD, IL – The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) women's basketball team face off with Lewis University and McKendree University in Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) action this weekend.
 
SETTING THE SCENE
UIS (8-2, 2-0) clashes with Lewis (9-4, 2-1) on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in Romeoville, IL. The Prairie Stars then take on McKendree (4-5, 0-2) on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Lebanon, IL.
 
LOOKING BACK
Lewis topped UIS 71-63 at Lewis last season. The Flyers qualified for the NCAA Division II Tournament.
 
UIS put together a season sweep over McKendree last year, earning a 59-53 win on the road and a 62-45 victory at home.
 
WHAT'S HAPPENING LATELY
The Prairie Stars are off to their best start since becoming a Division II school. UIS took down Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (9-3), which was receiving votes in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) NCAA Division II poll at the time, in a 72-54 victory at the Daytona Beach Shootout on Dec. 18. Destiny Ramsey and Jasmine Sangster led the charge with 16 points apiece. The Prairie Stars wrapped up the shootout on Dec. 19 as Angelo State University (8-2) powered to an 89-52 victory over UIS.
 
Lewis fell on the road to Florida Southern College (8-3) in a 70-61 loss on Dec. 16. The Flyers then captured two road victories by securing an 86-82 win over Eckerd College (11-2) on Dec. 17 and cruising to a 74-45 victory over Saginaw Valley State University (2-10) on Dec. 30.
 
McKendree fought off Northwest Missouri State University (1-11) in a 72-65 win on Dec. 18. The Bearcats then locked up a 73-53 victory over Davenport University (4-8) on Dec. 30.
 
COMMON OPPONENTS
UIS has recorded two wins over Purdue Northwest University (2-8). The Prairie Stars topped the Pride 79-73 on Nov. 10 and posted an 80-72 win on Nov. 25. Lewis put together a 71-57 win over Purdue Northwest on Nov. 22.
 
Lindenwood University (9-4) handed the Prairie Stars a 77-64 loss on the road on Nov. 18. The Lions also took a 77-68 victory over McKendree.
 
STARS OF NOTE
Katelyn Rosner leads the GLVC in blocks (2.6) and is also tied for 17th among NCAA Division II leaders. Among GLVC leaders, the 6-foot-2 center from Chicago, IL ranks fourth in defensive rebounds (5.6) and fifth in rebounds (7.8). Rosner averages 9.2 points and has converted 41-of-85 (48.2 percent) shots from the field this season.
 
Shelbi Patterson leads UIS in scoring with an average of 13.6 points. The 5-foot-9 senior guard from Indianapolis, IN has provided averages of 0.9 blocks, 3.9 defensive rebounds and has sank 55-of-112 (49.1 percent) shots from the floor.
 
Among GLVC leaders, Ramsey ranks third in blocks (1.8), fourth in rebounds (7.9) and fourth in offensive rebounds (2.9). The 6-foot senior forward from Bloomington, IL also averages 13.5 points and 5.0 defensive rebounds.
 
Jasmine Sangster has drained 39-of-47 (83.0 percent) attempts from the free-throw line. Tehya Fortune has collected 1.9 steals per game and has hit 27-of-35 (77.1 percent) of her shots from the charity stripe.
 
UIS OUTLOOK
The Prairie Stars are ranked No. 7 in the latest Division II Sports Information Directors of America (D2SIDA) Midwest Region poll.
 
UIS leads the nation in blocking (7.6). Among national leaders, UIS is ranked eighth in turnovers per game (12.0) and ninth in turnover margin (+7.7). The Prairie Stars top the conference in blocks, fewest turnovers, turnover margin, points (77.7), rebounds (44.4), defensive rebounds (29.2) and assist-turnover ratio (1.3). Among GLVC leaders, the Prairie Stars rank second in field-goal percentage defense (.344), second in 3-point field-goal percentage defense (.276), second in scoring margin (+17.0), second in offensive rebounds (14.8) and third in steals (10.4).
 
A LOOK AT THE OPPONENTS
Jessica Kelliher leads the nation with a scoring average of 24.8 points for the Flyers. She is currently the defending GLVC Player of the Week, which is the third that she has earned this season. Kelliher ranks fifth in the nation on 129-of-202 (63.8 percent) shooting. She is also tied for 21st in the nation with 61 made free throws. Kelliher leads the conference in points per game and field-goal percentage.
 
Rachel Hinders has contributed an average of 13.2 points and is ranked 18th in the nation on 48-of-53 (90.6 percent) shooting from the charity stripe.
 
Gabby Green leads the conference in assists (4.3) and ranks third in assist-turnover ratio (1.8).
 
Lewis is ranked No. 8 in the latest D2SIDA Midwest Region poll. The Flyers top the conference in field-goal percentage (.458) and assists (16.3). Among GLVC leaders, Lewis is ranked second in defensive rebounds (27.5) and third in assist-turnover ratio (1.0).
 
Jordan Heberg leads the Bearcats with 10.9 points. Shauniera Wilson ranks second in the GLVC with 2.0 blocks.
 
Among GLVC leaders, McKendree ranks second in fewest rebounds allowed (31.6) and third in rebounding margin (+4.4).
 
LOOKING AHEAD
The Prairie Stars welcome the University of Missouri-St. Louis (7-3, 1-2) next Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in TRAC. UIS then takes on Quincy University (4-8, 0-3) next Saturday at 1 p.m. in Quincy, IL.
 
UIS DIVISION II RECORD BOOK WATCH
Among career leaders, Patterson ranks second in assists (260), third in points (901), third in field goals made (364), third in steals (129), fifth in 3-pointers made (67), fifth in blocks (37) and fifth in defensive rebounds (230). Ramsey ranks third in career blocks (50) while Rosner ranks fourth in career blocks (49).
 
HOW TO WATCH
Thursday, Jan. 4 – UIS at Lewis (Live Stats) (Live Video) (Listen)
Saturday, Jan. 6 – UIS at McKendree (Live Stats) (Live Video)