UIS men's basketball beat longtime rival McKendree at TRAC on Saturday by a score of 72-67. 

Jack Weber scored 26 points for the Prairie Stars while also contributing 11 rebounds for a double-double. Weber made 11 of his 19 attempted field goals to lead the team to 46.7% overall shooting from the field. Nine additional Prairie Stars had points on the board, including Max Kunnert with 14 and Michael Wright with 8.

Two layups by Jack Weber and a good 3-pointer by Michael Wright allowed UIS to start the game on a seven-point run. SA 48.48% first half field goal percentage allowed the Prairie Stars to pull away early and go into halftime 40-32. 

The Bearcats briefly held the lead with one minute remaining. UIS used four free throws and a layup to take McKendree out of contention. The Bearcats outscored UIS 35-32 in the second half, but were five points short at the final buzzer. 

UIS is now 13-8, and has already surpassed their 12-win 2021-2022 season. The Prairie Stars will go up against Lewis in Romeoville, Ill. on Saturday for their only game of the week.