ROMEOVILLE, IL --- The Prairie Stars (9-4, 1-2) fell to Lewis University (7-7, 2-2) in the first game of the 2018 calendar year by a score of 84-76 in overtime. The Prairie Stars scored the last 13 points of regulation over the final 3:29 to force overtime, but ran out of steam in the extra time and were outscored 13-5.

Eddie Longmeyer scored a team-high 19 points in the contest to go along with four rebounds, four assists, and a steal. Five different Prairie Stars scored in double-figures, as Zach Steinberg recorded his first double-double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Vince Walker added 12 points, hitting 4-of-7 from deep while Aundrae Williams added 14 points, three rebounds, three assists, and a steal.

The bench for UIS combined to score 37 points as only six players scored for the Prairie Stars in the game.

The Prairie Stars jumped out to a 43-39 lead after the first half, utilizing a 7-for-13 effort from deep. Lijah Donnelly had 13 points in the first 20 minutes of play, bested only by Williams who scored all 14 of his points in the opening half.

UIS used a 15-3 run midway through the first half to take a 32-29 lead over the Flyers, which they extended to a 43-39 advantage at the break.

Lewis led by as many as 13 on three separate occasion in the second half, the final time coming with 3:44 remaining on the clock. After that basket, the Prairie Stars would hold the Flyers scoreless and score the final 13 points over the final 3:29 to tie the game.

The run started with an old-fashioned three-point play from Steinberg and was followed by deep ball from Walker. Steinberg cut the deficit to just four with a conventional three before Longmeyer cut it to two with a layup with just over one minute remaining. Donnelly finished the run with back-to-back free throws with 26 seconds remaining and after a turnover from the Flyers with six seconds left, UIS couldn't convert the final shot and headed to OT.

During the run, Lewis went 0-for-4 from the field with two turnovers.

In OT, Lewis scored the first six points before Longmeyer converted a three-point play. UIS made just two field goals in the extra time as Lewis scored the final five points to take the victory.

UIS will head back on the road on Saturday to face off against rival McKendree, who fell 75-65 at UW-Parkside. Tip-off is set for 7:30 in Lebanon, IL for the first of two meetings in a 10-day span for the two teams.