The University of Illinois Springfield women's basketball team shot a season-high from the field on Tuesday afternoon in Lebanon, Ill., but fell just short in picking up the road victory. The Prairie Stars fell to McKendree by a 71-68 score.
 
In a game which featured 15 lead changes and eight ties, McKendree used two late three-pointers to capture the GLVC win. A layup by Ellie Mitchell gave the Prairie Stars a 60-59 lead with 1:45 left, but the Bearcats came down and hit a three-pointer to retake the lead. After two missed shots by UIS, McKendree got a rebound and came down and hit another three-pointers for a five-point lead.
 
Makenna Fee hit two three-pointers in a four-second span to give UIS a chance to tie late. McKendree hit all of its free throws down the stretch though and a last-second three-pointer by the Prairie Stars was blocked.
 
UIS finished the game shooting 47.4 percent from the field, and it held the Bearcats to under 40 percent shooting. McKendree made 10-of-22 three-pointers, and finished with four more three-pointers and three more free throws than UIS. The Bearcats also forced four more turnovers in the game.
 
Lauren Ladowski led the offense with 20 points, followed by Ellie Mitchell with 13. Carson Vance had seven points, and Grace Weber, Makenna Fee, and Jalyn Harris all finished with six points. Mitchell, Ladowski, and Fee all dished out three assists. Malea Jackson and Mitchell had team-highs with six rebounds, and Olivia Travis had two blocks and two steals.
 
UIS drops to 8-9 on the year. The Prairie Stars will be in action again on Thursday at Rockhurst.