The University of Illinois Springfield men's basketball team continues to give nationally-ranked teams a hard time at TRAC, but this time the Prairie Stars fell just short. UIS took No. 6 Truman State to overtime on Thursday night before the Bulldogs pulled away for a 72-63 victory.
 
UIS trailed much of the game, but stayed close enough for a last-minute run. The Prairie Stars tied the game with 4:49 left in the second half, and then the two teams traded the lead down the stretch. Jack Weber knotted the game at 57 with 51 seconds left, and then UIS got a defensive stand. A foul sent UIS to the free-throw line with under two seconds, but both shots were just off the mark, forcing overtime.
 
A 9-0 run by Truman in overtime proved to be too much for UIS to overcome. Turnovers were a problem in the extra period as five Prairie Stars miscues led to eight Bulldog points.
 
UIS held the No. 2 scoring offense in the GLVC to just 38.6 percent shooting for the game, including five-of-22 from three-point range. The Prairie Stars were also held under 40 percent though, and they had an identical mark from behind the arc. Truman had a big advantage at the free-throw line, as it made 23-of-28, compared to eight-of-12 for the Prairie Stars.
 
Jack Weber tied a career-high with 20 points, and completed his first collegiate double-double with 12 rebounds. He also led the team with three assists and three blocks, and he shot 10-of-16 from the field.
 
Keymonta Johnson added 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Chase Robinson finished with 13 points, and he and Johnson both led the team with three steals apiece. Jesus Castillo had a team-best +5 plus/minus in 14 minutes of action.
 
UIS falls to 6-8 on the year. The Prairie Stars are back in action on Saturday with a 3:30 p.m. home game against William Jewell.