The University of Illinois Springfield women's basketball team could not overcome a slow start in its GLVC opener on Tuesday night in Romeoville, Ill. The Prairie Stars fell to Lewis by a 75-66 score.
 
Lewis went on a 14-2 run in the first quarter to take a lead that Illinois Springfield was never able to get back. The Prairie Stars scored the final seven points of the quarter, and got within three early in the second quarter. The back-and-forth quarter ended with Lewis having a 33-26 halftime lead.
 
Lewis extended its lead to as many as 18 in the third quarter. UIS made one more run in the final quarter, getting within seven at 68-61 with 3:35 remaining. A three-point play by the Flyers on the next possession though ended the rally.
 
Lewis shot 56.9 percent from the field in the game, while UIS was held under 40 percentage. The Prairie Stars only had seven turnovers, nine fewer than Lewis. The Flyers had nine more rebounds in the contest.
 
UIS was led by Tehya Fortune with 14 points, and Fortune hit four three-pointers. Lauren Ladowski had nine points, and dished out five assists. Katelyn Rosner led the team with six rebounds, one block, and two steals. Ten of the 11 Prairie Stars players who saw action had at least three points in the game, and ten players had at least one rebound.
 
UIS falls to 4-3 overall on the season. The Prairie Stars are off until Saturday, Dec. 14, when they face Harris-Stowe at 1 p.m.