The University of Illinois Springfield men's basketball team forced 23 turnovers and held MacMurray to under 38 percent shooting from the field on Saturday afternoon at TRAC. That defensive effort helped the Prairie Stars to an 84-59 victory over the Highlanders.
 
UIS had 16 steals in the contest and it was often able to convert the MacMurray turnovers into points on the other end. The Prairie Stars scored 38 points off turnovers, 23 more than MacMurray had, and also had 17 fast break points in the game.
 
Offensively, the Prairie Stars shot over 50 percent from the field for the contest, and they also scored 18 points on 27 trips to the free-throw line. UIS had 38 points in the paint, and also collected 15 offensive rebounds which turned into 17 second-chance points.
 
UIS scored the first eight points of the game, and led 12-1 before MacMurray made its first field-goal attempt. It would lead by double-figure points for the final 12:21 of the half, and the team had a 43-28 halftime lead. Early in the second half, UIS went on a 14-0 run to put the game out of reach as it lead 58-32 at that point.
 
Aundrae Williams led the Prairie Stars with 17 points, two assists, and four steals. He made seven-of-nine from the field in the game. Vince Walker had 13 points, and he knocked down half of his six three-point attempts. Gilwan Nelson was the final player in double-figure points with 10. CJ Payawal, Cole Harper, and Collin Stallworth all had eight, and Daniel Soetan finished with seven.
 
Peyton Allen and Cole Harper both had team-highs with six rebounds. Harper also tied Williams with two assists and four steals. Allen and Zach Steinberg also had two assists apiece.
 
UIS improves to 3-3 on the season. The Prairie Stars start GLVC play on Thursday with a road contest at Maryville.