Illinois Springfield men's basketball (14-6, 10-2 GLVC) edged past Missouri-St. Louis (12-10, 6-7 GLVC) with a 78-74 victory on Saturday at TRAC. This win completed the season sweep of the Tritons, marking the first time UIS has beaten them twice in a row since their first meeting in 2002. The Prairie Stars secured the win by outscoring UMSL 44-38 in the second half and converting 22 of 29 free throws.

The game opened with Illinois Springfield and Missouri-St. Louis exchanging early leads. Illinois Springfield made an assertive start with Jordan Rice scoring a layup and jumper within the first minute. With these first two points of the day, Jordan Rice entered the UIS men's basketball all-time top three scorers. Alex Stell contributed significantly, assisting twice and securing a defensive rebound early on. Despite a strong showing, including 11 field goals and 16 points in the paint, UIS ended the half narrowly trailing UMSL, 36-34.

The Prairie Stars gained momentum early in the second half with Britton Dutton's three-pointer at 19:16, followed by a series of successful layups that pushed them ahead. Dutton continued to be a key player, contributing a layup and a pair of free throws, extending the Prairie Stars' lead.

Leveraging a balanced attack and strong rebounding, the Prairie Stars maintained control despite UMSL's efforts to close the gap. Illinois Springfield sealed the game with crucial free throws and a final defensive stand, ending the game with a 78-74 victory.

Britton Dutton scored 19 points, converting 8 of 10 free throws to lead the team offensively. Isaiah Davis added 12 points, sinking three three-pointers and recording two steals. Rice contributed 13 points and dished out four assists, bolstering the backcourt effort. Stell made a significant impact on the boards, collecting 12 rebounds and blocking two shots while also tallying seven assists.

UIS head coach Matt Brock said, "It was a very good basketball game today. We had a terrific crowd and a great atmosphere. I thought the difference was the separation our bench gave us in the second half. They did a great job of extending the lead and giving us a little cushion. Marlon Williams was really good and ready to play, and he made some big plays for us in the second half."

The Prairie Stars stand at 14-6 overall and 10-2 in GLVC play. UIS remains at the top of the conference, currently enjoying a four-win streak. The Tritons hold a 12-10 overall record with a 6-7 mark in GLVC competition.

Up Next
UIS has two road games scheduled for next week. The Prairie Stars will be at Maryville on Thursday, McKendree on Saturday.