The University of Illinois Springfield women's basketball team travels to the St. Louis area this weekend looking to build on the success of last weekend. The Prairie Stars face UMSL on Thursday night at 5:30 p.m. and league-leading McKendree on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
UIS (12-9, 10-5)
The Prairie Stars went 2-0 last weekend at home behind two impressive performances. UIS currently sits 5th in the GLVC Women's Basketball Point Rating System Rankings with an average rating of 3.53 points.
On Thursday night the Prairie Stars welcomed the William Jewell Cardinals to TRAC looking to complete the season sweep. Both teams started slow, but a 14-1 run in the second quarter opened up a seventeen-point lead for the Stars. Jewell cut the lead down to seven, but UIS led 37-30 at the half. In the third quarter both teams were able to score at will, as UIS increased their lead to thirteen. UIS continued to build on their lead as the Cardinal defense had no answer. UIS led for 38:24 of the 40 minutes in the 85-65 win. Michaela Gibbons was the game's leading scorer with 23 points including 5-for-11 from three-point range. Jessenia Lawson had 18 points of her own as well as pulling down 9 boards. The Prairie Stars held the advantage in rebounds (52-29) and assists (17-7). UIS shot 34-for-71 (47.9%) from the field, 10-for-29 (34.5%) from three, and 7-for-12 (58.3%) from the free-throw line. Jewell shot 24-for-59 (40.7%) from the field, 4-for-22 (18.2%) from three, and 13-of-23 (56.5%) from the free-throw line.
Saturday afternoon the Prairie Stars faced off against Rockhurst, looking to avenge the loss they suffered to the Hawks earlier in the year. Both teams came out with energy and applied pressure. UIS ended the first quarter with a slim 21-18 lead. The Prairie Stars were able to build on their lead in the second quarter behind a 15-5 run. Rockhurst battled back, but UIS took a 41-34 lead into the half. The third quarter was a back-and-forth affair as RU cut the lead to three on multiple different occasions. UIS stayed strong throughout the third and start of the fourth quarter to maintain the lead. The Stars were able to ice the game at the free-throw line as they walked away with an 84-74 win. Liz Uhl led the Prairie Stars in scoring with 25 points on a perfect 6-for-6 from the field, including 4-for-4 from behind the arc. Jessenia Lawson finished with 18 points along with 7 rebounds. Bailey Parham had 13 points and 5 boards. Shariah Gailes totaled 10 points while going a perfect 3-for-3 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. UIS held advantages in rebounds (32-27), assists (18-9), and bench points (48-7) on the way to victory. The Prairie Stars shot 26-for-50 (52.0%) from the field, 7-of-19 (36.8%) from three, and 25-for-32 (78.1%) from the free-throw line. Rockhurst shot 29-of-63 (46.0%) from the field, 3-for-17 (17.6%) from three, and 13-for-17 (76.5%) from the free-throw line.
The Prairie Stars are 4-4 in road games this season. UIS is averaging 76.4 points per game on 40.4% shooting. The Stars are holding opponents to 75.1 points per game on 46.2% shooting. UIS scores the second most points per game in the GLVC at 76.4 and is tied for third with 7.0 three-pointers made per game. The Stars are 7-3 in their last 10 games.
UMSL (9-12, 7-8)
The Tritons went 1-1 in road games last weekend. UMSL is currently in 10th place in the GLVC Women's Basketball Point Rating System Rankings with an average rating of 2.87 points.
The Tritons faced Upper Iowa on Thursday night, where UMSL would drop a close contest 56-62. UMSL kept it close the entire game, but the Peacocks kept the Tritons at bay with clutch free-throws at the end of the game.
On Saturday UMSL matched up against bottom of the conference Truman State. UMSL was able to use a strong second and third quarter to walk away with a comfortable 80-61 win in Kirksville.
The Tritons are 4-5 in home games this season. UMSL is averaging 64.5 points per game on 42.9% shooting. The Tritons are allowing opponents to score 61.5 points per game on 41.4% shooting. The Tritons are 3-7 in their last 10 contests.
Jalysa Stokes 19.2 pts/ 1.9 ast/ 1.6 stl
Amaya Blake 9.6 pts/ 1.8 ast
Morgan Ramthun 8.4 pts/ 7.8 reb/ 1.4 stl
Alex Wolff 7.7 pts/ 5.0 reb
Audrey Martinez-Stewart 7.0 pts/ 5.6 reb/ 3.0 ast/ 1.7 stl
McKendree (16-5, 12-3)
The Bearcats went 2-0 in road games last weekend to keep their perfect record on the road in conference play intact. McKendree is sitting in 1st place in the GLVC Women's Basketball Point Rating System Rankings with an average rating of 4.07 points.
The Bearcats played Truman State on Thursday night in what turned out to be a much closer game than some might've anticipated. McKendree was able to pull away slightly in the third quarter to secure the win 74-61.
On Saturday against Upper Iowa, the Bearcats were once again pushed to their limit, going into overtime for the second time in five games. The game was back-and-forth the entire time as there were sixteen lead changes in the four and a half quarters. McKendree was able to outlast the Peacocks, 99-95, scoring a season-high point total along the way.
The Bearcats are 4-4 in home games this season. McKendree is averaging 73.5 points per game on 44.9% shooting. The Bearcats allow their opponents to score 69.6 points per game on 41.9% shooting. McKendree is 7-3 in their last 10 contests.
Clare Breden 17.9 pts/ 3.5 reb/ 3.5 ast/ 1.2 stl
Naomi McDaniel 14.4 pts/ 8.2 reb/ 1.1 stl/ 1.6 blk
Madyson Harper 10.0 pts/ 3.7 ast/ 1.9 stl
Christy Fortune 8.5 pts/ 4.5 reb
Up Next
The Prairie Stars host their final home games of the year next weekend against Lewis and Indianapolis.
