For the second straight game, a second-half comeback came up short for the University of Illinois Springfield men's basketball team. The Prairie Stars fell to Maryville on Saturday afternoon at TRAC by a 61-60 margin.
 
UIS struggled offensively for most of the game, and found itself trailing 57-47 with six minutes remaining in the game. The Prairie Stars scored 13 straight points though to take their first lead of the game. Matt Wendling started the run with a three-pointer and scored six points during that span. Trey Marble had the other seven points, including four straight to give UUIS a 60-57 lead with two minutes left.
 
After two possessions for each team without a score, Maryville cut the lead to 60-59 with 39 seconds left. The Prairie Stars then turned the ball over, leading to the Saints hitting the game-winning basket with four seconds left in the game.
 
UIS had a good game defensively, holding the Saints to under 40 percent shooting, including five-of-19 from three-point range. That wasn't enough though to overcome the Prairie Stars making just 35.2 percent of their shots, including eight-of-29 from three-point range.
 
UIS was led by Chase Robinson who had 15 points. Keymonta Johnson, Marble, and Wendling all finished with nine, and the Prairie Stars got a spark from Yamani Shareef who knocked down two three-pointers in the second half. Wendling had a team-high eight rebounds, Marble had six assists, and Johnson finished with two steals.
 
UIS falls to 1-2 on the season. The Prairie Stars return home next Saturday for a 3:30 p.m. game against Lewis.