The University of Illinois Springfield women's basketball team returns home this week for two important conference games that will have tournament implications. The Prairie Stars host William Jewell on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and Rockhurst on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

UIS (10-9, 8-5)

The Prairie Stars went 1-1 on the road last weekend. UIS currently sits 5th in the GLVC Women's Basketball Point Rating System Rankings with an average rating of 3.38 points. 

On Thursday night the Prairie Stars traveled to Bolivar, Missouri to take on the Bearcats of SBU. UIS pushed ahead 21-15 in the first quarter, making eight field goals along the way. SBU flipped the script in the second quarter, outscoring UIS 24-19. Bailey Parham made her shot in the final seconds of the first half to put UIS ahead by one point before the intermission. The Prairie Stars stayed ahead for the entire third quarter, pushing the lead to 11 points with 2:25 remaining. UIS continued to outscore SBU at a similar pace, as the Stars won the game 83-70. UIS made 22-of-30 free throws in a game where a total of 70 free throws were attempted. Jessenia Lawson completed a 24-point, 15-rebound double-double, also tallying three steals and three assists. Amaya Asher (16) and Liz Uhl (15) also scored double-digit points. UIS had the advantage in turnovers (12-23), assists (13-11), steals (11-4), and rebounds (44-43, 24 offensive & 20 defensive). 

On Saturday afternoon the Stars took on a high-level Drury Panther team, who were looking to avenge their loss earlier in the year in Springfield, Illinois. UIS jumped out to an early lead, but the Panthers were never far off. DU extended the lead to as many as 12, but UIS was able to trim the lead to only 4 at the half behind some hot shooting. The third quarter was a back-and-forth affair which saw 10 lead changes. Drury was able to put some distance between themselves and the visiting Stars, winning the contest 80-68 in the end. Liz Uhl led UIS in scoring with 21 points. She made 6-of-9 attempted field goals including 4-of-6 three-pointers. Jessenia Lawson's well-rounded day consisted of 19 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, a steal, 5-of-11 field goal shooting, and 9-of-10 free throws made. Saharra Murphy also scored 10 points. 

The Prairie Stars are 4-4 at TRAC this year. UIS is averaging 75.6 points per game on 39.5% shooting. The Stars are holding opponents to 75.7 points per game on 46.5% shooting. The Stars make the fourth most three-pointers per game in the GLVC with 6.9 per game. 

 

William Jewell (5-14, 3-10)

The Cardinals went 1-1 last weekend, as they picked up their first win since January 3. WJC currently is in 13th place in the GLVC Women's Basketball Point Rating System Rankings with an average rating of 2.31 points.

Thursday night the Cardinals welcomed Upper Iowa to Liberty, Missouri looking to earn another conference win. The Cardinals were able to do that and much more as they dominated the Peacocks from start to finish for a 90-60 win. Jewell came out on fire as they held a 30-16 advantage at the end of the first quarter. UIU was able to cut the lead to only 5, but couldn't get any closer. An even third quarter set up a potential close finish, but Jewell pulled away in the fourth for a huge GLVC win. Katie Knock and Chloe Frank both finished with 17 points, the game's leading scorers. Ayden Shannon (15), Emree Zars (12), and Bree Shannon (11) also finished with double-digit points. Chloe Frank and Ayden Shannon also recorded 7 rebounds each. WJC forced 23 turnovers, and scored 24 points off of these turnovers. 

On Saturday Jewell looked to keep their momentum going against Truman State. With both squads needing a win, a very even game ensued as neither team could fully take control. TSU held a 32-28 lead at the intermission. The Bulldogs built this lead to as many as 12 at the start of the third quarter. Jewell came roaring back with a 20-4 run to give the Cardinals a 4-point lead with less than seven minutes to go. Free-throws down the stretch gave the Bulldogs a much-needed win, 61-58. Ayden Shannon led William Jewell with 14 and played the entire forty minute game. Kate Hillyer finished with 13 points off the bench, which amassed 27 points for the Cardinals. Emree Zars was the last Cardinal to finish with double-digit points (12). Truman outrebounded Jewell 52-27. 

The Cardinals are 2-8 on the road this year. WJC is averaging 67.2 points per game on 39.2% shooting. The Cardinals allow opponents to 73.8 points per game on 41.7% shooting. Jewell makes the second most three-pointers per game in the GLVC with 7.7. UIS beat Jewell 84-80 in their earlier matchup on January 6. 

 

Rockhurst (11-6, 8-5)

The Hawks went 2-0 last weekend at home with two convincing wins. RU is currently in 6th place in the GLVC Women's Basketball Point Rating System Rankings with an average rating of 3.35 points. 

On Thursday night the Hawks welcomed Truman State to Kansas City looking to get back to winning ways. RU and TSU traded blows throughout the first half, as Rockhurst went into the intermission with an eight-point lead. An 11-0 run in the third quarter saw the Hawks take a 24-point lead. Rockhurst began the fourth quarter by scoring the first 16 points of the period to put the game beyond Truman's reach. Rockhurst won the game 88-67. Keegan Sullivan had a big day for the Hawks as she finished with 17 points and 8 rebounds. Akili Felici was close behind with 16 points. Macie Conway registered 14 points on the day. RU was able to turn TSU over 26 times, which led to 31 points. Rockhurst also held the advantage in rebounds (35-32) and assists (20-14).

On Saturday afternoon against Upper Iowa, RU stretched their home winning streak to 10 games. The Hawks were able to comfortably dispatch the Peacocks 73-57. Rockhurst took the lead in the early seconds of the game and never conceded it. The first half was all RU as they led 42-21 at the break. The Hawks opened the third quarter on a 14-2 run to stretch the lead even more and put the game completely out of UIU's reach. Rockhurst had a balanced attack, as eleven different players registered points. Rebeca Garcia was the leading scorer for the Hawks with 13 points, to go along with 8 rebounds. Macie Conway (12), Akili Felici (10), and Allison McFarren (10) also finished with double-digit points. RU held a 40-38 rebounding advantage. 

The Hawks are 1-5 on the road this year. RU is averaging 69.7 points per game on 35.3% shooting. The Hawks allow opponents to 65.9 points per game on 39.3% shooting. Rockhurst makes the third most three-pointers per game in the GLVC with 7.2. RU beat UIS 109-87 in their earlier meeting this season on November 22. 

 

How to Watch

Every conference game this year will be streamed on GLVCSN behind a paywall.Live statistics are available via the UIS WBB schedule. To better understand how the Point System Rating works for basketball, visit here. 

 

Up Next

UIS visits the St. Louis area next weekend as the Stars take on UMSL on Thursday and McKendree on Saturday.