The University of Illinois Springfield men's basketball team got 54 points from its top-three scorers on Thursday night in St. Charles, Mo., but the Prairie Stars could not leave town with a win as they fell by an 85-80 score.
 
UIS came out fast as it led 40-23 with just under five minutes remaining in the first half. Lindenwood finished the period on a 13-0 run though to pull within four by halftime.
 
The Lions continued to stay hot in a second half which saw 11 lead changes. Illinois-Springfield took a 78-77 lead with 4:29 remaining on a layup by Collin Stallworth. After that, the Prairie Stars were held without a field goal for the next three-plus minutes until Daniel Soetan scored to make the score 81-80 in favor of the Lions.
 
After a Lindenwood field goal, UIS had a chance to tie the game with 14 seconds left, but its three-pointer was off the mark. The Lions then sealed the game with two free throws.
 
UIS shot 56.1 percent from the field in the game, including making 13 three-pointers and shooting 44.8 percent from three-point range. Lindenwood shot just 43.2 percent from the field and 34.6 percent from three-point range. The Lions had 11 more free-throw attempts, which they converted in nine more points. Lindenwood also attempted 17 more shots after having a +9 turnover margin and +9 rebounding margin.
 
UIS's top scorers on the season all had big games as Chase Robinson, Daniel Soetan, and Keymonta Johnson combined for 54 points on 22-of-38 shooting from the field. Robinson and Soetan each had 19 points, and Johnson finished with 16. Johnson had a team-high nine rebounds, two blocks, and a +6 plus/minus. Soetan had a team-best six assists.
 
UIS falls to 14-13 on the season and 7-12 in GLVC action. The Prairie Stars end the season on Saturday at No. 18 Missouri-St. Louis.