The University of Illinois Springfield women's basketball team will look to continue to make history on their road trip this weekend. The Prairie Stars face off against Truman State on Thursday night at 5:15 p.m. and Upper Iowa on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

UIS (14-11, 12-7)

The Prairie Stars went 1-1 in their last two home games of the season. UIS still sits in 5th in the GLVC Women's Basketball Point Rating System Rankings with an average rating of 3.63 points.

On Thursday night the Stars faced off against Lewis in what would be a high-scoring contest. UIS started out on top, but the Flyers held strong as both teams shot over 55% from the field in the first quarter. Lewis continued to build a lead to as many as 15 in the third quarter. UIS fought all the way back in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 78 with 4:13 left. Lewis took the lead back and proceeded to ice the game from the free-throw line for a 97-88 win.

On Saturday afternoon UIS welcomed UIndy to celebrate Senior Day at TRAC. Both teams held slim advantages in the first quarter of play. The Greyhounds were able to take a small lead going into the halftime intermission. UIndy built their lead to as many as thirteen in the third quarter, but the Stars would start to increase the pressure. In the fourth quarter the Stars didn't allow the Greyhounds to score for three minutes, and were able to take the lead behind the trio of Shariah Gailes, Liz Uhl, and Jessenia Lawson. UIS's 60 second-half points led the Stars to a 101-96 victory in what would be a historical win. Shariah Gailes scored the most points in a single-game in school history with 37. With the win, the 2023-24 Prairie Stars broke the record for the most conference wins in a single-season in school history.

The Prairie Stars are 5-5 in road games this year. UIS is averaging 77.0 points per game on 40.2% shooting. The Prairie Stars allow opponents to score 76.5 points per game on 46.9% shooting. UIS averages 37.2 rebounds per game, 14.28 assists per game, and a league-leading 11.68 steals per game. The Prairie Stars are 6-4 in their last 10 games. 

Truman State (6-18, 3-15)

The Bulldogs lost both games last weekend at home. TSU are in 13th in the GLVC Women's Basketball Point Rating System Rankings with an average rating of 2.28 points. 

On Thursday the Bulldogs played host to Maryville. The Saints took control early, and didn't let TSU get close enough the rest of the way. The Bulldogs never held the lead and the game was never tied as Maryville won 79-65. 

On Saturday Truman State played Missouri S&T in a battle between two teams low in the conference standings. S&T held the lead for the majority of the contest, but Truman mounted a furious comeback. The Bulldogs found themselves down 10 with 4:03, but were able to tie the score at 62 with thirty seconds left. An overtime period ensued where Missouri S&T was able to take the lead behind intense defense for a 70-64 win.

The Bulldogs are 2-9 at Pershing Arena this year. Truman State is averaging 70.0 points per game on 42.4% shooting. TSU allows opponents to score 74.9 points per game on 41.5% shooting. The Bulldogs are averaging 35.1 rebounds per game and 15.38 assists per game. TSU is 3-7 in their last 10 contests. 

Upper Iowa (11-11, 8-10)

The Peacocks went 1-1 in their home games last weekend, with both being close affairs. UIU is tied for 7th in the GLVC Women's Basketball Point Rating System Rankings with an average rating of 3.111 points. 

Thursday night the Peacocks faced off against the Miners in an intense game between the two. S&T held multiple leads throughout the first half, but UIU continuously was able to climb back into the game. Upper Iowa was able to take a lead of their own in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter the Miners were able to capitalize on free-throws for a slim lead. UIU had a chance at the final buzzer but their heavily contested three-pointer fell short as S&T won 66-64. 

On Saturday afternoon Upper Iowa played Maryville. The Peacocks came out on fire from three to take an early lead. UIU held onto their comfortable lead going into the break. Early foul trouble by Upper Iowa let the Saints take a lead of their own in the third quarter. A 30-point fourth quarter from the Peacocks gave them a big 84-76 win in their quest for a conference tournament bid.

The Peacocks are 6-5 at Dorman Memorial Gymnasium this season. UIU is averaging 73.1 points per game on 43.8% shooting. The Upper Iowa defense allows opponents to score 70.7 points per game on 39.5% shooting. UIU leads the conference with an average of 8.7 three-pointers made per game. The Peacocks average 36.5 rebounds per game and 14.77 assists per game. Upper Iowa is 4-6 in their last 10 games.

Up Next

The Prairie Stars will wrap up their 2023-24 regular season campaign next weekend on the road against Quincy on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.