As part of UIS Athletics' 15 Years of NCAA Division II Membership celebration, the department is highlighting 15 standout teams and 15 standout student-athletes who have shaped the program's Division II era. Each week, UIS features one team and one player, honoring the accomplishments, championship moments, and legacy-building performances that have defined Prairie Stars Athletics.

The 2021-22 UIS women's basketball team delivered one of the most successful seasons in program history, finishing 17-11 overall and 11-9 in Great Lakes Valley Conference play. Under head coach Casey Thousand, the Prairie Stars posted a .607 winning percentage, setting an NCAA Division II era program record for wins in a season and marking UIS's best year since 1998-99. The team was anchored by its defense, holding opponents to an average of just 64 points per game.

UIS opened the season with immediate momentum, earning a pair of victories at the Midwest Region Crossover with wins over Purdue Northwest and Tiffin. The strong start sparked a four-game winning streak and set the tone for a balanced roster led by Lauren Ladowski, Malea Jackson, and Ally Gietzel.

Conference play showcased the Prairie Stars' consistency and defensive identity. UIS put together a five-game GLVC winning streak from late January into early February, defeating McKendree, Lewis, Indianapolis, Rockhurst, and Quincy. In the win over Quincy, the Prairie Stars turned in one of their most dominant performances of the season, forcing 21 turnovers while allowing a season-low point total of 43 points. The victory tied two NCAA Division II era records that still stand, marking UIS' 13th overall win of the season and a program-record five-game winning streak.

The Prairie Stars also earned a statement non-conference win during the season, defeating reigning Missouri Valley Conference champion and NCAA Division I opponent Bradley by a 79-71 score.

UIS carried its momentum into postseason play, making history at The Recreation and Athletic Center. The Prairie Stars earned the program's first-ever GLVC Tournament victory with a 60-52 win over Missouri S&T in the opening round, played at home at TRAC. UIS advanced to the quarterfinals before suffering a narrow 53-52 loss to UMSL, closing the season as the tournament's sixth seed. 

Individual accolades capped the historic campaign. Lauren Ladowski was named the GLVC Defensive Player of the Year and earned First Team All-GLVC honors, anchoring one of the league's most disciplined defensive units. Malea Jackson also received conference recognition, earning Third Team All-GLVC honors for her contributions throughout the season. Ladowski made history as the first UIS women's basketball student-athlete to win a GLVC major award and the program's first first-team all-conference selection.

Midseason, Ladowski took over as the program's all-time leading scorer and went on to score 477 points that year, finishing her Prairie Stars career with 1,515 total points.

Led by head coach Casey Thousand, the 2021-22 UIS women's basketball team combined record-setting wins, postseason breakthroughs, and elite defensive play to produce the program's most successful NCAA Division II era season—cementing its place in Prairie Stars history.

Explore the growing list of NCAA Division II 15 Years Anniversary honorees celebrating the legacy of Prairie Stars Athletics.