KIRKSVILLE, MO – Truman State University conquered the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) men's basketball team with an 86-47 victory during Saturday's Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) matchup.
 
"This team has fought hard all year but [on Saturday] we didn't have it," UIS coach Bill Walker said. "Truman State is very tough to beat at home and is a dangerous team."
 
Truman State (18-9, 13-5) led UIS (14-14, 6-12) 41-24 at halftime and outscored the Prairie Stars 45-23 in the second half.
 
Bahari Amaya led the Prairie Stars with 11 points. Eddie Longmeyer contributed eight points in 10 rebounds. Zach Steinberg provided six points. Gilwan Nelson and Vince Walker both tallied five points and four assists. Lijah Donnelly scored four points. Logan Gonce added three points. Collin Stallworth and Aundrae Williams produced two points apiece. CJ Payawal rounded out the UIS scoring effort with one point.
 
Zach Fischer notched 30 points and 13 rebounds, while converting 10-of-15 (66.7 percent) shots from the field. Brodric Thomas produced 15 points, eight rebounds, six assists, three blocks and three steals. Nathan Messer netted 14 points while Turner Scott dished out five assists.
 
During the second half, Truman State knocked down 16-of-26 (61.5 percent) shots from the field. The Bulldogs hit 30-of-59 (50.8 percent) attempts from the floor and 12-of-33 (36.4 percent) shots from 3-point range. UIS sank 19-of-60 (31.7 percent) shots from the floor and 4-of-16 (25 percent) attempts from behind the arc.
 
The Bulldogs drained 14-of-18 (77.8 percent) attempts from the free-throw line while the Prairie Stars made 5-of-9 (55.6 percent) shots from the free-throw line.
 
Truman State outrebounded UIS by a 45-31 margin.
 
The Prairie Stars committed 15 turnovers while the Bulldogs turned the ball over 11 times.
 
UIS is graduating seniors Eddie Longmeyer and Wayde Smith.
 
"The highest compliment is that they are a great teammate. Wayde is a great teammate. He will be very successful in his career in the U.S. Navy and a terrific alumnus if UIS. I'm proud of Eddie and his terrific senior season. Eddie has grown so much as a player and person since coming to UIS. He was at the top of everyone's scouting report but still managed to produce almost every night. We will miss him."
 
The Prairie Stars are expected to bring back 13-of-15 players for the 2018-19 season, including four starters.
 
"With two freshman starters and other key returnees, our future is bright. I also want to thank the Springfield-Area fans who supported us this season."