Indoor track and field opens its season on the road, women's tennis hosts its first home match of the Henrique Leal era, and a full slate of home basketball highlights the week ahead for UIS Athletics.

Thursday, Jan. 15
5:30 p.m. — Women's Basketball vs. Rockhurst (HOME)
The Prairie Stars (5-10, 2-5 GLVC) welcome the Hawks to TRAC for Teacher Appreciation Night. UIS dropped a pair of close road contests last weekend, falling 71-70 at Quincy and 63-54 at Truman State after rallying late. Rockhurst (6-7, 2-5 GLVC) is coming off home losses to UMSL (58-43) and Maryville (72-50). UIS trails 10-15 in the all-time series and is 10-12 against Rockhurst as GLVC opponents.

7:30 p.m. — Men's Basketball vs. Rockhurst (HOME)
UIS (10-5, 6-1 GLVC) suffered its first conference loss of the season Saturday at Truman State, 66-65, after a dominant 91-60 win at Quincy on Thursday. Rockhurst (11-4, 5-2 GLVC) enters the matchup following road wins at UMSL (87-79) and Maryville (104-65). UIS trails 9-12 all-time but holds a 6-5 edge in games played at TRAC.

Teacher Appreciation Night

• Teachers receive free admission for themselves and one guest to the UIS basketball doubleheader.

Saturday, Jan. 17
All Day — Indoor Track & Field at GVSU Bob Eubanks Open
The Prairie Stars travel to Allendale, Michigan, to open the indoor season for most of the squad. Madelyn Miller-Ross competed in December at a GVSU meet, racing among the top NCAA Division II 5,000-meter runners. UIS returns to competition following the cross country season, beginning the indoor stretch of the season that runs from December to March. Running events are scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. CT.

11:00 a.m. — Women's Tennis Exhibition vs. SIUE (HOME)
UIS hosts SIUE at the Springfield Racquet and Fitness Club for its first competition of 2026 and the first home match of the Henrique Leal era. The Prairie Stars posted strong individual and doubles results during the fall season at the ITA Regional and Dwight Davis College Open tournaments.

1:00 p.m. — Women's Basketball vs. Southwest Baptist (HOME)
Southwest Baptist (5-8, 2-5 GLVC) is 3-3 in its last six games, including a 68-51 road win at Lincoln and an 84-54 loss at UMSL last weekend. The Bearcats are 1-4 on the road this season and will play at McKendree prior to visiting TRAC. UIS leads the all-time series 8-3, including a 5-3 advantage since both teams joined the GLVC.

3:00 p.m. — Men's Basketball vs. Southwest Baptist (HOME)
Southwest Baptist (9-6, 3-4 GLVC) earned a 70-62 overtime win over Lincoln before falling 78-46 at UMSL last week. The all-time series is tied 4-4 and has featured several close contests since SBU joined the GLVC, including an overtime game at TRAC in January 2023.

Faith & Family Day

• Saturday's basketball doubleheader also features Faith & Family Day at TRAC, welcoming fans from across the community to pack the stands and stay for a postgame concert sponsored by Business Men in Christ.

Cardinals Caravan

• The St. Louis Cardinals Caravan (Caravan Three) will be at TRAC on Saturday. Anyone with a game ticket can take part in the Cardinals experience, featuring autograph sessions for youth and free 2026 Cardinals game tickets for adult fans.

Multiple UIS sports are back in action with more to come in the weeks ahead. Follow all UIS Athletics news by subscribing to emails here. Have you seen our anniversary series celebrating the first 15 years of NCAA Division II membership at UIS? Catch up here, and subscribe to our General category on the UIS Athletics email signup to get them straight to your inbox each week.