The University of Illinois Springfield women's basketball team picked up a big GLVC road win on Saturday in Indianapolis, Ind. The Prairie Stars held on late for a 63-60 victory over Indianapolis.
 
Indianapolis held a small lead for most of the first half, but an 11-0 run helped turn the tide and gave the Prairie Stars a 36-33 advantage at halftime.
 
In the second half, the two teams traded runs until the game was tied at 57 with two minutes left. UIS's defense forced a missed shot, and Ellie Mitchell hit a jumper on the other end to give UIS the lead. After another Greyhound miss, Lauren Ladowski was fouled and hit both free throws for a four-point Prairie Star lead.
 
Indianapolis hit a three-pointer with 32 seconds left to get within one, and it got the ball back. Olivia Stephens drew a charge on the baseline to keep UIS head. Stephens was also fouled on the next possession and hit two free throws to push the lead to 63-60. Indianapolis had two chances to tie, but the Prairie Stars defense forced two missed three-pointers in the final six seconds of the game.
 
UIS shot just 36.8 percent from the field, but made 18-of-25 from the free-throw line. That proved to be the difference as the Greyhounds made just 11 free throws. UIS also had four more rebounds and four fewer turnovers in the game.
 
Ladowski finished with a team-high 18 points, and Mitchell had 15. That duo had 10 of the team's 12 points in the fourth quarter. Malea Jackson had a team-high seven rebounds, and led the squad with a +12 plus/minus. Olivia Travis had three assists, Ladowski had five steals, and Jalyn Harris had the team's only block.
 
UIS improves to 6-2 on the season and 2-1 in GLVC play. The Prairie Stars will be off until Dec. 18 when it welcomes Northern Michigan to TRAC for the final non-conference game of the year.