The University of Illinois Springfield men's basketball team used a big second-half run to win its conference opener on Thursday night. The Prairie Stars picked up a road victory by an 85-70 score over Maryville in St. Louis, Mo.
 
Maryville led for most of the first half, including by as much as 10 at 41-31 late in the half. The Saints would take a 43-38 lead into halftime.
 
Early in the second half, Maryville led by eight three minutes into the period, when UIS started its comeback. Midway through the half, UIS held the Saints without a field goal for four and a half minutes, and it went on a 15-1 run to take the lead for good.
 
Maryville made its last run with five straight points to cut the lead to 71-67 with 4:35 left. Peyton Allen answered with a three-pointer, and Gilwan Nelson had a steal and dunk to put the Prairie Stars back up by nine. UIS continues its strong defense after that to win its GLVC opener for the second straight season.
 
UIS outscored Maryville by a 47-27 mark in the final 20 minutes. The Prairie Stars shot 54.8 percent from the field and made six three-pointers. The defense was the main story though as UIS limited Maryville to 28.6 percent shooting, including 0-for-10 from three-point range. The Prairie Stars also forced 10 turnovers in the final half.
 
Allen led UIS with 28 points, including making six-of-13 from three-point range. He just missed a double-double with nine rebounds, and had a team-high four steals. Gilwan Nelson also just missed a double-double with 18 points and nine rebounds. Aundrae Williams had 19 points, as the top three scorers for the Prairie Stars had a combined 65 points. Cole Harper had a team-high 10 rebounds and also tied for the team-high with four assists.
 
UIS is now 4-3 on the season, and has won two straight. The Prairie Stars are in action again Saturday at Missouri-St. Louis.