The University of Illinois Springfield men's basketball team has only one game this upcoming weekend, a Saturday tilt against in-state rival Quincy. The game is scheduled for a 3:00 p.m. tip-off.
UIS (12-6, 5-3)
UIS went 1-1 last weekend at TRAC. The Stars are currently 4th in the conference standings.
On Thursday night the Stars welcomed an Upper Iowa team that was receiving votes in the national poll. UIS jumped out to a big lead early, but Upper Iowa came roaring back to take a lead of their own with three minutes left in the first half. In the second half the Stars steadily increased their lead. The Peacocks couldn't keep up as UIS came away with an 88-71 win. Jack Weber led the Prairie Stars with 21 points on 9-for-14 shooting. Jacob Hanna finished with 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists. Both Jordan Rice and Jayden Johnson scored 15 points. UIS shot 35-for-70 (50.0%) from the field, 9-of-25 (36.0%) from three, and 9-for-16 (56.3%) from the free-throw line. UIU shot 25-of-67 (37.3%) from the field, 4-for-20 (20.0%) from three, and 17-for-22 (77.3%) from the free-throw line.
Saturday afternoon UIS welcomed Truman State to TRAC in what was expected to be another tough game in the GLVC. UIS once again started the game quickly, but Truman State battled back to take their own lead. TSU led 44-37 at halftime after a 14-7 run to end the half. The Bulldogs continued their hot shooting in the second half and increased their lead to as many as 10. UIS brought the contest within 1 point with 2:15 left, but Truman continued to hit big shots down the stretch. Truman State earned their second conference win of the year with an 81-77 win in Springfield. Jacob Hanna led the Prairie Stars with 17 points on 7-for-13 shooting while also pulling down a team-high 9 rebounds. Jordan Rice and Max Kunnert both finished with 16 points for the Stars. Jack Weber added 13 points on 5-for-11 shooting. UIS shot 29-of-64 (45.3%) from the field, 9-for-28 (32.1%) from three, and 10-for-21 (47.6%) from the free-throw line. Truman State shot 30-for-60 (50.0%) from the field, 13-of-29 (44.8%) from three, and 8-of-12 (66.7%) from the free-throw line.
The Prairie Stars are 7-2 at TRAC this year. UIS scores 82.3 points per game, while only allowing opponents to score 71.8. UIS sits second in the GLVC for team field goal percentage at 51.4%, and first in team three-point field goal percentage at 42.1%.
Quincy (9-7, 4-4)
QU also went 1-1 in their two home games last weekend. The Hawks are currently in 8th place in the GLVC standings.
On Thursday night QU welcomed Truman State to the Pepsi Arena, where the Hawks have found success this year. TSU started the game with a barrage of three-pointers, jumping out to a 17-5 lead. Quincy chipped away at the lead, and then ended the first half on a 13-0 run to take a 33-28 lead into the break. QU built their lead to 10 points, but the Bulldogs erased it quickly with a run of their own to take a three-point lead with 5:48 left. Quincy took a 64-62 lead with 4:54 left in the game, which the Hawks would refuse to give away. Quincy emerged victorious 75-73 to earn their fourth conference win of the year. Zion Richardson led the way for the Hawks with 24 points on 8-for-19 shooting to go along with 11 rebounds. Mason Wujek also recorded a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. QU shot 22-for-50 (44.0%) from the field, 7-of-23 (30.4%) from three, and 24-for-36 (66.7%) from the free-throw line. TSU shot 25-for-57 (43.9%) from the field, 13-of-32 (40.6%) from three, and 10-for-14 (71.4%) from the free-throw line.
Saturday afternoon the Hawks welcomed the Peacocks of Upper Iowa for their second game of the weekend. Upper Iowa held the advantage over the Hawks for the majority of the first half, taking a 49-42 lead into the intermission. UIU started the second half on fire and built their lead to as many as 17. Quincy went on a 10-2 run in the last four minutes to narrow the Peacock advantage to 4 points. Upper Iowa held on to win 88-84. Zion Richardson continued his good run with 30 points on 12-for-19 shooting. John Kelly III finished with 11 points while Isaiah Foster finished with 10. Quincy shot 33-for-66 (50.0%) from the field, 6-of-17 (35.3%) from three, and 12-of-15 (80.0%) from the free-throw line. Upper Iowa shot 32-for-74 (43.2%) from the field, 8-of-25 (32.0%) from three, and 16-of-25 (64.0%) from the free-throw line.
The Hawks are 1-3 on the road this year. QU scores 71.6 points per game, while allowing opponents to score 68.8 points. Quincy is currently last in both team field goal percentage (42.8%) and three-point field goal percentage (30.5%).
Zion Richardson : 16.5 pts / 6.3 reb / 1.5 ast / 1.5 stl
Isaiah Foster : 10.8 pts / 2.8 ast / 1.1 stl
Nate Shockey : 9.7 pts / 3.8 reb / 2.4 ast / 1.8 stl
Mason Wujek : 8.3 pts / 4.8 reb
Up Next
The Prairie Stars hit the road once again as they travel to Southwest Baptist on Thursday and Drury on Saturday.
