The University of Illinois Springfield women's basketball team won the back end of its home-and-home series against Lewis on Thursday afternoon in Romeoville, Ill. The Prairie Stars held on late for a 63-62 win over the Flyers.
 
Lewis led 48-45 after three quarters, but the two teams traded runs in the fourth quarter until they were tied at 59 with 4:06 left. Lewis took a two-point lead at the 2:50 mark, but UIS did not allow a field goal the rest of the game.
 
The Prairie Stars tied the game at 61 on a basket by Malea Jackson. On its next possession, Liz Uhl got an offensive rebound and was fouled. She made both free throws for a 63-61 lead. UIS forced two straight turnovers, but couldn't take advantage offensively. With 36 seconds left, Lewis was fouled, but made just one free throw. The Flyers forced a turnover, but missed two shots in the final five seconds to give the Prairie Stars an important road victory.
 
During Lewis' victory on Tuesday night, it made 27 free throws. UIS committed just 15 fouls on Thursday, and Lewis scored only 12 points on free throws. UIS grabbed 10 more rebounds in the game, and had a 32-18 lead in points in the paint.
 
The sophomore duo of Malea Jackson and Makenna Fee led UIS. Jackson had 17 points and seven rebounds, while Fee finished with 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds. The pair were 11-of-19 from the field. Lauren Ladowski had nine points and four assists, and Ellie Mitchell scored nine points. Grace Weber finished with a team-high +9 plus/minus in her 22 minutes.
 
UIS improves to 4-3 on the season. The Prairie Stars will travel to Missouri-St. Louis on Saturday for a 1 p.m. game.