The University of Illinois Springfield men's basketball team got off to a quick start against the No. 5 team in the country, but the Prairie Stars couldn't hang on in an 85-66 loss to Northwest Missouri at the MIAA Challenge in Kansas City, Mo.
 
Vince Walker hit three-pointers on back-to-back possessions to give UIS a 19-10 lead just over seven minutes into the game. The Bearcats retook the advantage though with their three-point shooting. Northwest Missouri hit seven three-pointers the rest of the half, including four straight at one point, and it led 39-29 at halftime.
 
The Bearcats' offense put the game away in the first part of the second half. Northwest Missouri made 14 of its first 16 field-goal attempts, including all nine inside the three-point arc to push its lead over 20.
 
Northwest Missouri finished the game shooting 47.1 percent from the field and it hit 14 three-pointer. UIS shot 46 percent from the field, and had seven makes from beyond the arc. The Prairie Stars had the edge at the free-throw line, making eight more free throws.
 
Gilwan Nelson led the Prairie Stars with 15 points. He was six-of-11 from the field in the game. Walker made four three-pointers on the night and finished with 12 points. Daniel Soetan was the final player in double-figures with 10.
 
Cole Harper led UIS with seven rebounds, Peyton Allen had a team-high four assists, and Soetan blocked a pair of shots.
 
UIS falls to 2-3 on the season. The Prairie Stars return home on Saturday for a 3 p.m. game against MacMurray.