The longest winning streak for the University of Illinois Springfield men's basketball team during its NCAA era came to an end on Saturday at TRAC. A late comeback attempt came up just short as UIS lost to McKendree by a 77-75 score.
 
The Prairie Stars came out hot as they scored the first 10 points of the game, and they never trailed in the first half. UIS would take a 31-24 lead into halftime.
 
McKendree was the hot team early in the second half, and it took its first lead of the game at 36-35 with just under 16 minutes left. The two teams traded the lead back and forth, and UIS eventually took a five-point lead at the seven-minute mark.
 
The Bearcats responded with a 15-1 run that put them up nine points. They were still up seven with 1:18 left when UIS started a comeback attempt. Logan Gonce hit a jumper and Aundrae Williams scored five points, and the Prairie Stars trailed just 76-75 with nine seconds left. McKendree made one-of-two free throws, giving UIS a chance to win or tie the game. A three-pointer and tip back in the final couple of seconds were both just off the mark, allowing the Bearcats to escape with the victory.
 
Both teams struggled from the field, as UIS shot 41.5 percent, including 30.8 percent from three-point range, and McKendree shot 39.3 percent from the field and 27.3 percent from three-point distance. The difference was at the free-throw line. UIS was called for 10 more fouls, and McKendree made 14 more foul shots in the game. In the second half, the Bearcats were 24-of-29 from the free-throw stripe, compared to seven-of-nine for UIS. That helped McKendree score 53 points in the final 20 minutes, and get the two-point victory.
 
Williams led UIS with 22 points and five assists, and he made three three-pointers in the game. Peyton Allen finished with 17 points, and he had four assists, two steals, and seven rebounds. Daniel Soetan returned to the court and had eight points and a team-high nine rebounds. Gonce finished with nine points, and Gilwan Nelson had eight. Collin Stallworth earned a start and grabbed seven rebounds.
 
The Prairie Stars' seven-game winning streak ended, and they are now 9-4 on the season and 2-1 in GLVC play. UIS returns to action on Thursday with a 7:30 p.m. game against Missouri-St. Louis.