The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) women's basketball team coasted past Lincoln Christian University in a 77-36 decision during Saturday's matchup at TRAC.
 
UIS (2-5) opened up with a 20-5 lead after the first quarter and a 42-17 advantage at halftime. The Prairie Stars held a 57-28 lead after three quarters and outscored Lincoln Christian 20-8 in the fourth quarter.
 
Saturday's game counted as an exhibition for Lincoln Christian, which currently holds a 3-6 record.
 
Gabrielle Sanders, Brianna Mefford and Tehya Fortune each set career highs in rebounds, pulling down 13, 11 and nine, respectively.
 
Val Meissner matched her career-high of 17 points to lead the Prairie Stars. Lauren Ladowski provided 14 points, Fortune delivered 10 points, Sanders turned in eight points and Chasitee Shroyer contributed seven points. Jasmine Sangster tallied six points and four steals while Lanie Hicks added five points. Carson Vance and Ellie Mitchell rounded out the UIS scoring effort with two points. Hick and Fortune both foced three steals apiece.
 
Breeanna Brackney paced Lincoln Christian with 12 points. Lucy Waid collected a team-high nine rebounds. Kenzie Schlipf and Shayla McCormick each created three steals.
 
UIS outrebounded Lincoln Christian by a 54-38 margin.
 
The Prairie Stars converted 24-of-67 (35.8 percent) shots from the floor and 8-of-35 (22.9 percent) attempts from 3-point range. UIS held Lincoln Christian to 13-of-56 (23.2-percent) shooting from the floor and 1-of-3 (33.3-percent) shooting from behind the arc.
 
UIS found the free throw line 25 times and drained 21 (84 percent) of its attempts. Lincoln Christian made 9-of-18 (50 percent) shots from the charity stripe.
 
The Prairie Stars committed 22 turnovers while Lincoln Christian turned the ball over 26 times.
 
UIS resumes action on Dec. 17 by hosting Robert Morris University-Springfield (3-8) at 6 p.m. in TRAC. The Prairie Stars then take on Missouri Southern State University (6-3) on Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. in Joplin, Mo.