The University of Illinois Springfield men's basketball team picked up one of its biggest victories of its NCAA era on Saturday afternoon in Indianapolis, Ind. The Prairie Stars defeated No. 11 Indianapolis by a 79-69 score.
 
The road win over the nationally-ranked team was not a fluke as Illinois Springfield never trailed and led by as many as 25 points in the game. UIS played a nearly perfect first half, scoring the first eight points of the game and led 39-14 with 7:12 remaining in the period. The Prairie Stars eventually took a 43-28 lead into the break. In the first half, UIS shot 54.8 percent and made eight three-pointers, while holding Indianapolis to 31.3 percent shooting.
 
Indianapolis wouldn't go away quietly on its home court. UIS still had an 18-point lead with 11 minutes remaining at 62-44. The Greyhounds made a run though in the second part of the second half, and got within five with 1:22 left. The defense did not allow another point after that, forcing three missed shots and a turnover.
 
UIS's defense was the difference, as it held Indianapolis to 13 points below its season average. The Greyhounds shot just 36.8 percent from the field, including 26.9 percent from three-point range. UIS also won the rebounding battle by six rebounds, and forced 12 turnovers.
 
Offensively, UIS finished the game with 45 percent shooting, including making 14 three-pointers and shooting 43.8 percent from three-point range. The Prairie Stars had 16 assists on their 27 made field goals.
 
Daniel Soetan led UIS with a double-double of 24 points and 10 rebounds. Fifteen of his points came in the first half to help UIS jump out to the big lead. Jesus Castillo finished with 23 points, including making six-of-10 three-pointers. Chase Robinson had 13 points and a team-high five assists, and Keymonta Johnson tied for the team-high with 10 rebounds, and also led the team with three blocks and two steals.
 
UIS improves to 8-3 on the season and 1-2 in GLVC play. The Prairie Stars will be home next Thursday with a 7:30 p.m. game against William Jewell.