The University of Illinois Springfield men's basketball team will hit the road as the regular season winds down. The Prairie Stars visit UMSL on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. before traveling to McKendree for a Saturday afternoon showdown at 3:00 p.m.
UIS (16-7, 9-4)
The Prairie Stars went 2-0 in their two home games last weekend to continue their high-quality play at home this year. UIS is currently in 3rd place in the GLVC Men's Basketball Point Rating System Rankings with an average rating of 3.54 points.
On Thursday night UIS welcomed William Jewell to TRAC, while trying to even the season series with the Cardinals. Both teams held leads in the first half, but UIS led at the halftime break after a 7-2 run to end the half. The second half featured the Prairie Stars opening up a lead only for Jewell to bring it close again. Jewell cut the lead down to two points with 46 seconds left, but Max Kunnert was able to make a running jumper and sink two free-throws in the final 20 seconds to secure the win, 86-82. Max Kunnert was the leading scorer for UIS with 25 points on 9-for-13 shooting from the field, including going 5-of-9 from three-point range. Khalil Ross finished with 13 points as well as 6 rebounds. Jacob Hanna completed another double-double with 12 points and 10 boards. Isaiah Esker scored 12 points while Jordan Rice chipped in with 11. UIS held the advantage in rebounds (33-16) and assists (20-7). UIS shot 37-for-56 (66.1%) from the field, 7-of-18 (38.9%) from three, and 5-for-6 (83.3%) from the free-throw line. Jewell shot 30-for-58 (51.7%) from the field, 12-for-30 (40.0%) from three, and 10-of-14 (71.4%) from the free-throw line.
On Saturday UIS faced off against Rockhurst for their first meeting of the season. A stunning first half display from the Prairie Star offense led UIS to a comfortable 92-69 win. Jacob Hanna led the Prairie Stars in scoring (19), rebounds (11), and assists (6) for another double-double. Jayden Johnson finished with 16 points. Jack Weber had 12 points to go along with 6 rebounds. Max Kunnert and Khalil Ross both scored 11 points. The Prairie Stars held the advantage in rebounds (42-31), assists (22-10), and bench points (30-13). UIS shot 35-for-64 from the field (54.7%), 11-for-23 (47.8%) from three, and 11-of-22 (50.0%) from the free-throw line. Rockhurst shot 22-for-60 (36.7%) from the field, 8-for-26 from three (30.8%), and 17-for-23 (73.9%) from the free-throw line.
The Prairie Stars are 4-2 in road games this season. UIS is averaging 81.0 points per game on 51.6% shooting. The Stars are holding opponents to 71.2 points per game on 45.0% shooting. UIS is second in the GLVC in scoring with 81 points per game and field goal percentage. The Prairie Stars lead the conference in point margin with +9.8 and team three-point percentage at 42.6%. UIS is 7-3 in their last 10 games.
UMSL (8-13, 6-7)
The Tritons lost both games on the road last weekend as they are currently on a three game slide. UMSL sits 6th in the GLVC Men's Basketball Point Rating System Rankings with an average rating of 3.15 points.
Thursday night against Upper Iowa showed why the Peacocks are one of the top teams in the conference as UIU won 81-68. UMSL held a lead in the first half, but a run from UIU gave the Peacocks the advantage the rest of the way. UMSL battled back to cut the lead to 4, but another Peacock run sealed the win.
On Saturday afternoon against Truman State, UMSL fell victim to a hot-shooting Bulldog second half. UMSL held a halftime lead and even stretched their lead to nine points at the start of the second half. Truman outscored UMSL 42-20 over the final sixteen minutes to protect home court with a 73-60 win.
The Tritons are 3-3 in home games this season. UMSL averages a league-low 67.0 points per game on 46.9% shooting from the field. Opponents score 72.6 points per game on 47.0% shooting. The Tritons are 3-7 in their last 10 contests.
Matt Enright 12.8 pts/ 4.1 reb/ 3.3 ast/ 1.2 stl
Mayson Quartlebaum 12.8 pts/ 4.8 reb/ 1.4 ast
Emanuel Prospere II 10.3 pts/ 3.3 reb/ 2.0 ast/ 1.0 stl
Savon Wykle 9.2 pts/ 4.0 reb/ 1.5 ast
Troy Glover II 9.1 pts/ 7.8 reb/ 1.5 blk
McKendree (11-9, 5-8)
The Bearcats went 1-1 on their travels last weekend, with a huge win on Saturday against Upper Iowa to snap a five game losing streak. McKendree is on the outside looking in as they find themselves in 9th place in the GLVC Men's Basketball Point Rating System Rankings with an average rating of 3.00 points.
Thursday night against Truman State was a tough loss for the Bearcats, as the Bulldogs led wire-to-wire for an 87-74 win in Kirksville. McKendree shot 60.0% from the field in the second half, but could not overcome the twenty-one point deficit they were in at halftime.
On Saturday McKendree finally got the win that potentially has big conference tournament implications. The Bearcats traveled to Upper Iowa and were able to defeat the Peacocks 81-80 in a back-and-forth affair. This win only puts the Bearcats .04 points behind Rockhurst for the 8th and final position of the GLVC Tournament.
The Bearcats are 6-3 at home this year. McKendree is averaging 76.4 points per game on 51.8% shooting. Their opponents score 74.4 points per game on 42.0% shooting. McKendree leads the GLVC in team field goal percentage and is second in opponent field goal percentage. The Bearcats are 4-6 in their last 10 games.
Milos Vicentic 22.1 pts/ 5.4 reb
Caleb Zurliene 13.9 pts/ 6.7 reb/ 2.4 ast/ 3.0 blk
Carson Parker 11.9 pts/ 7.4 reb/ 2.8 ast
Joey Niesman 9.8 pts/ 4.5 reb/ 2.4 ast/ 1.1 stl
Up Next
UIS hosts their final two home games of the 2023-24 season next weekend against Lewis on Thursday and Indianapolis on Saturday.
