The University of Illinois Springfield men's basketball team continued a bad trend of falling behind in the first half and being unable to come back in the second. On Tuesday in Indianapolis, Ind., it cost the Prairie Stars in a 79-71 loss to Northwood.
 
Northwood led by as many as 14 points in the first half, and took a 41-32 lead into the locker room at halftime. The Timberwolves shot 57.7 percent from the field in the half, including making six-of-nine from three-point range.
 
UIS trailed 58-48 with 12 minutes remaining in the game, but went on a 13-4 run to pull within one at the 8:21 mark. That was the first of three times that the Prairie Stars got as close as a single point to Northwood, but they could never take the lead. UIS went over four minutes down the stretch without a point, and the Timberwolves went on a 7-0 run during that time to finally pull away for good.
 
Northwood finished the game shooting over 50 percent from the field and three-point range, and it also had a big advantage at the free-throw line. The Timberwolves made 19-of-21 from the free-throw stripe, while UIS struggled by going just three-of-12. Northwood won the rebounding battle by a 36-31 margin, while the Prairie Stars won the turnover battle by nine.
 
James Kelley had a monster game for the Prairie Stars. He made 14-of-19 from the field, and finished with 31 points. He also led the team with seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Chris Hamil was also in double-figure scoring with 15. Jack Weber had seven rebounds, and Chase Robinson blocked two shots.
 
UIS falls to 1-3 on the year. The Prairie Stars will be in action tomorrow afternoon on day two of the UIndy Thanksgiving Classic when they face Ohio Valley at 12 p.m. (11 a.m. central).