The University of Illinois Springfield men's basketball team saw its bench players keep the game close, but the Prairie Stars couldn't get a road victory on Thursday night in Bolivar, Mo. UIS dropped its game versus Southwest Baptist by an 88-82 score.
 
The Bearcats never trailed after scoring the first six points of the game. Southwest Baptist led by as many as 12 at 36-24, but UIS ended the half on a 10-0 run to cut the deficit to two by halftime. Eight of those points came from Matt Wendling, including a pair of three-pointers.
 
Southwest Baptist quickly regained a larger lead at the start of the second half, scoring the first nine points in less than three minutes. UIS fought back and was within one at the halfway mark of the second half at 58-57. The Bearcats caught fire offensively after that, scoring 30 points in the final 10 minutes of the period. UIS was still within five with under four minutes left, but that was as close as the Prairie Stars could get.
 
UIS shot 50 percent from the field in the game, made 16-of-27 three-pointers, and 14-of-17 free throws. Southwest Baptist also made double-figure three-pointers, and missed just two of 18 free throws. The Bearcats had 16 more shooting attempts though, and they outrebounded the Prairie Stars by a 44-22 margin.
 
Wendling led the bench scoring after finishing with 19. He made five-of-nine three-pointers in the game, and also tied the team-high with four rebounds. Alonsa Meana added 13 points, and Aundrae Williams had nine. Meana finished with a +8 plus/minus, and Williams had a +2 mark.
 
Daniel Soetan finished with 15 points. He drew six fouls and was six-of-eight from the free-throw line. Keymonta Johnson had 10 points, four rebounds, and four assists.
 
UIS falls to 12-9 on the season and 5-8 in GLVC play. The Prairie Stars are next at Drury on Saturday.