The University of Illinois Springfield women's basketball made more history in its historic season on Monday night at TRAC. The Prairie Stars won their first GLVC Tournament game with a 60-52 win over Missouri S&T.
 
The Prairie Stars fell in an early hole in the first quarter and trailed for most of the first half. UIS cut the deficit though to just one at 29-28 at halftime.
 
In the third quarter, the two teams played an even quarter until Ellie Mitchell hit a jumper at the buzzer which gave UIS a 43-42 lead after 30 minutes of play. UIS then scored the first four points of the fourth, and it never trailed again.
 
The biggest moment came with under three minutes remaining when Missouri S&T trailed just 53-52. Ally Gietzel answered with a jumper to make it a three-point game. After two straight defensive stops, Gietzel was fouled and made both free throws to make it a 57-52 lead with 1:41 left. Missouri S&T didn't score after that, and UIS celebrated one of its biggest victories in program history.
 
Missouri S&T outshot UIS from the field, but the Prairie Stars attempted 13 more shots in the game to overcome that. UIS had 11 more rebounds, including a 16-4 advantage on the offensive boards. The Prairie Stars also won the turnover battle, and made six more free throws.
 
Lauren Ladowski finished with 16 points, followed by Gietzel with 14 and Malea Jackson with 13. Ellie Mitchell had a team-high eight rebounds and two assists. Jalyn Harris had eight points off the bench, and Olivia Stephens had a +14 plus/minus in less than 12 minutes of action.
 
UIS advances to the GLVC Quarterfinals in Edwardsville, Ill. The Prairie Stars will face Missouri-St. Louis on Friday at 2:30 p.m.