The University of Illinois Springfield men's basketball team played the No. 13 team in the nation even for 20 minutes on Saturday at TRAC. The Prairie Stars couldn't keep up with Bellarmine though in the second half as they fell by a score of 90-59.
 
UIS and Bellarmine were tied at 28 at the break. Bellarmine shot 50 percent from the field, but the Prairie Stars forced 11 turnovers and made six three-pointers to tie the game at halftime. In the second half, the Prairie Stars couldn't keep up with a Knights team that couldn't hardly miss. Bellarmine shot over 70 percent from the field and made 16-of-16 free-throw attempts.
 
It was Senior Day for UIS, and the top highlight among that class was Zach Steinberg breaking the school's career rebounding mark. Steinberg grabbed his 581st rebound midway through the first half to tie the record, and then broke it with an offensive rebound with 2:15 left in the game.
 
All six seniors scored as Gilwan Nelson had 10 points, Vince Walker had nine, Steinberg collected seven, Logan Gonce had five, Cole Harper added four, and Chidi Ngwe had two. Nelson finished his career by scoring in double-figure points in 13 straight games. Gonce added five assists and two steals. Walker hit three three-pointers to finish to add to his school career record of 220. Ngwe dished out an assist in eight minutes, and Harper and Steinberg were among three players with a team-high three rebounds.
 
Also for UIS, Peyton Allen had 10 points, three steals, and three blocks. Aundrae Williams chipped in with six points.
 
UIS ends the season with a 14-14 overall record and a 7-11 GLVC mark. The Prairie Stars finished at .500 for the second straight season, the first time they have accomplished that in their NCAA era.