The University of Illinois Springfield women's basketball team continues their season with a game on Saturday against in-state rival Quincy at 1:00 p.m. UIS currently holds a four-game winning streak, with the chance to tie the program's DII era record of five consecutive conference wins.

UIS (9-7, 7-3)

UIS went 2-0 again this past weekend to increase their win streak to four. The Prairie Stars are currently 3rd in the GLVC standings. 

Thursday night the Prairie Stars welcomed Upper Iowa to Springfield in a battle between two high quality GLVC teams. Upper Iowa controlled both the first and second quarter to take a 47-43 lead into the halftime break. The momentum switched entirely in the third quarter as UIS increased the defensive pressure. The Prairie Stars had 8 steals and forced the Peacocks into 11 turnovers in the third quarter alone. UIS took the lead with 8:42 left in the third quarter on a Jessenia Lawson layup and didn't give it up the rest of the game. The Prairie Stars kept UIU at a safe distance the rest of the third and fourth quarter to win 94-84. Jessenia Lawson led the Prairie Stars with 22 points on 10-for-14 shooting from the field. Liz Uhl (17), Michaela Gibbons (15), and Amaya Asher (13) were the other Stars with double-digit points. Kayla Rice set a new single-game school record in steals with 9, to go along with her 9 points and 6 assists. UIS shot 34-for-83 (41.0%), 11-of-33 (33.3%) from three, and 15-for-16 (93.8%) from the free-throw line. UIU shot 26-for-47 (55.3%) from the field, 8-of-16 (50.0%) from three, and 24-for-31 (77.4%) from the free-throw line. 

Saturday afternoon UIS took on Truman State, who have failed to win a game so far in conference play. UIS commanded the game from start to finish. UIS led by as many as 30 points in the third quarter. The Prairie Stars won the contest 75-56. Jessenia Lawson and Kayla Rice both finished with 14 points as the game's leading scorers. Shariah Gailes finished with 12 points while Liz Uhl chipped in with 11. Jazlynn Givens led the Prairie Stars with 10 rebounds. UIS led TSU in rebounds (53-39), assists (17-13), and bench points (28-26). UIS shot 29-of-84 (34.5%) from the field, 6-for-33 (18.2%) from three, and 11-for-15 (73.3%) from the free-throw line. Truman State shot 22-for-59 (37.3%) from the field, 3-of-21 (14.3%) from three, and 9-for-15 (60.0%) from the free-throw line.

The Prairie Stars are 4-3 in games at TRAC this year, scoring 76.2 points per game, while also allowing 76.2 points per game. As a team, the Prairie Stars are shooting 40.7% from the field and 29.2% from three. 

Quincy (5-11, 4-6)

QU went 1-1 in their two home games in the past weekend. The Hawks are sitting in 11th place currently in the conference standings. 

On Thursday night the Hawks hosted Truman State in what turned out to be an intense affair that featured 11 lead changes. The teams went bucket for bucket at times, keeping margins to a minimum. The Hawks kept the Bulldogs at a safe distance throughout the final quarter to win their first conference game at home, 78-75. Cymirah Williams and Janiece Dawson both finished with 15 points for the Hawks. Mariann Blass had 13 points and Paige Gamble chipped in with 10. Williams also finished the game with 14 rebounds, completing a double-double. Quincy shot 26-for-77 (33.8%) from the field, 5-of-23 (21.7%) from three, and 21-of-22 (95.5%) from the free-throw line. Truman State shot 27-for-62 (43.5%) from the field, 5-of-24 (20.8%) from three, and 16-for-20 (80.0%) from the free-throw line. 

On Saturday the Hawks battled Upper Iowa, where another tight game ensued. Upper Iowa took the lead early and didn't give it up the entire game as they won 69-62. The Hawks came close throughout the game, as they were only down by 1 point in the fourth quarter halfway through. The Peacocks were able to make baskets down the stretch to come away with the victory. Cymirah Williams once again led the Hawks in scoring with 22 points. Mariann Blass was the only other Hawk to finish in double figures, with 16. QU shot 24-for-71 (33.8%) from the field, 5-of-18 (27.8%) from three, and 9-for-14 (64.3%) from the free-throw line. UIU shot 22-for-61 (36.1%) from the field, 9-of-21 (42.9%) from three, and 16-of-17 (94.1%) from the free-throw line. 

The Hawks are 3-1 in away games this year. Quincy is scoring 63.2 points per game, while allowing opponents to 67.9 points per game. QU is shooting 35.6% from the field as a team, and 25.2% from three. 

Cymirah Williams : 13.1 pts / 8.9 reb / 1.1 ast / 2.0 stl

Janiece Dawson : 9.7 pts / 5.0 reb / 1.9 ast / 1.3 stl

Acheampomaa Danso : 9.0 pts / 8.1 reb / 1.6 blk 

Mariann Blass : 7.4 pts 

Up Next

UIS will return to action on the road next weekend as the Stars travel to Southwest Baptist on Thursday and Drury on Saturday.