The University of Illinois Springfield men's basketball team returns to action this weekend against two of the top teams in the conference. The Prairie Stars play Truman State on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. and Upper Iowa on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.

UIS (16-11, 9-8)

The Prairie Stars lost their final two games at home last weekend to tough conference opponents. UIS is currently tied for 7th place in the GLVC Men's Basketball Point Rating System Rankings with an average rating of 3.29 points.

On Thursday night the Stars welcomed Lewis to TRAC. UIS started the game well, making multiple three-pointers to take an early lead. The Flyers proceeded to fight back and take control of the contest at the end of the first half. The second half was more of the same as UIS wasn't able to contain the Lewis offense. Lewis won the game 86-74.

On Saturday afternoon UIS matched up against Indianapolis to celebrate Senior Day. Once again the Prairie Stars started the game scoring at will and building up a lead. UIndy was able to take a lead of their own towards the end of the first half. The Greyhounds extended the lead to as many as thirteen, but the Stars kept cutting into the lead. A three from Max Kunnert made it a one-point game with 3:32 left, but UIndy was able to hold on to the win, 82-75. 

The Prairie Stars are 4-4 on the road this season. UIS is averaging 81.1 points per game on 51.0% shooting. The Stars are holding opponents to 73.7 points per game on 45.6% shooting. UIS is second in the GLVC in scoring with 81.1 points per game, point margin with +7.4, team and field goal percentage. UIS leads the GLVC in team three-point percentage at 41.7%. The Stars average 33.8 rebounds per game and 15.44 assists per game. UIS is 4-6 in their last 10 games. 

Truman State (13-11, 10-6)

The Bulldogs continued their winning streak last weekend for their sixth victory in a row. TSU is in 3rd place in the GLVC Men's Basketball Point Rating System Rankings with an average rating of 3.78 points.

Truman played Maryville on Thursday night looking to extend their winning streak. TSU jumped on the Saints early, but Maryville was able to make the contest close as the first half went on. Truman State led for the majority of the second half, but Maryville took a lead with six minutes left. TSU was able to go on a run to extend the lead back to nine points, which was enough to win 81-75.

Saturday afternoon the Bulldogs faced off against Missouri S&T. TSU kept the Miners at a safe distance throughout the first half. S&T chipped away at the lead in the second half and tied the contest with 12:10 left. Both teams traded buckets, but TSU was able to fight off the Miner comeback attempt for a 92-84 win. 

The Bulldogs are 9-2 in home contests this season. TSU is averaging 76.2 points per game on 46.3% shooting. Truman allows their opponents to score 78.0 points per game on 47.1% shooting. TSU leads the conference in three-pointers made per game with 10.7 and sit second in team three-point percentage at 39.7%. The Bulldogs average 29.0 rebounds per game and a league-leading 16.71 assists per game. TSU is 8-2 in their last 10 games. 

Upper Iowa (16-8, 11-5)

The Peacocks got back to winning ways with two wins at home last weekend. UIU sits in 2nd place in the GLVC Men's Basketball Point Rating System Rankings with an average rating of 3.94 points.

On Thursday night Upper Iowa faced off against Missouri S&T looking to snap a three-game losing streak. The Miners took an early advantage, but a 16-2 Peacock run gave them the lead they were looking for. In the second half Upper Iowa was able to hold and build onto their lead. S&T wasn't able to get any closer than a five-point gap the rest of the game as Upper Iowa won 94-86. 

On Saturday the Peacocks welcomed Maryville to Fayette in what would be a back-and-forth affair. Neither team was able to open up a commanding lead in the first half, with the Saints taking a lead into the break. Maryville led by five points with five minutes to play, but UIU proceeded to go on an 11-2 run to take the lead. Upper Iowa was able to ice the game from the free-throw line as the Peacocks won 90-82. 

The Peacocks are 9-1 in home games this season, with their lone loss being by one point. UIU has the highest scoring offense in the conference with an average of 87.7 points per game on 47.1% shooting. The Peacocks allow opponents to score 81.8 points per game on 48.2% shooting. Upper Iowa averages 34.8 rebounds per game and 13.21 assists per game. UIU is 7-3 in their last 10 games. 

Up Next

UIS concludes the 2023-24 regular season with an away game against Quincy on Saturday March 2.