The Illinois Springfield men's basketball team closes the regular season this week with a pair of road contests, beginning Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in Liberty, Mo.,at William Jewell, followed by a Saturday 2:00 p.m. matchup in Kansas City, Mo., at Rockhurst.

UIS enters the week at 17-9 overall and 13-5 in GLVC play, tied near the top of the standings as postseason seeding remains unsettled heading into the final weekend.

Illinois Springfield (17-9, 13-5 GLVC)
The Prairie Stars returned to form last week with wins over Lewis (63-58) and Upper Iowa (82-77). In the victory over Upper Iowa, two of the league's top offensive teams traded blows, but UIS controlled key areas — outrebounding the Peacocks 40-32, hitting 10 three-pointers, and going 16-of-22 from the free throw line compared to Upper Iowa's eight makes.

Offensively, UIS ranks fifth in the GLVC in scoring at 79.0 points per game and leads the conference in three-point percentage at 37.6 percent. The Prairie Stars also rank second in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.46), reflecting their efficiency and balance.

Jordan Rice leads the team at 16.5 points per game, while Isaiah Davis adds 12.5 points per contest and shoots 42.3 percent from three-point range. Tye Banks (11.7 ppg) and Britton Dutton (10.4 ppg, 44.2 percent from three) provide additional perimeter firepower, while Alex Stell anchors the paint at 8.5 rebounds per game.

With multiple scoring options and the league's most efficient three-point shooting attack, UIS remains one of the GLVC's most balanced offensive groups.

William Jewell (17-9, 13-5 GLVC)
William Jewell enters the week with the same overall and conference record as UIS. The Prairie Stars edged the Cardinals 61-60 in early December in Springfield.

Jewell ranks 12th in the GLVC in scoring (73.0 ppg) but leads the league in three-pointers made (9.9 per game) and ranks fourth in three-point percentage (36.4 percent). The Cardinals are also fourth in turnover margin (+2.27), creating extra possessions with defensive pressure.

Justice Sutton headlines the offense at 19.7 points per game while shooting 49.0 percent from the field and 85.5 percent at the line. Bradley Lightbourne (14.1 ppg) and Kyle Scharbrough (11.4 ppg) provide additional scoring punch, with multiple perimeter threats surrounding Sutton.

Jewell split last weekend, winning in overtime at Lincoln before falling at Missouri-St. Louis.

Rockhurst (21-5, 15-3 GLVC)
Rockhurst sits atop the GLVC standings and owns the league's most potent offense at 87.7 points per game, paired with a conference-best +14.0 scoring margin.

The Hawks handed UIS one of its toughest losses of the season on Jan. 15, winning 84-56 while limiting the Prairie Stars to just one made three-pointer. Rockhurst's defensive game plan disrupted UIS' perimeter rhythm — something the Prairie Stars will look to correct in the rematch.

Rockhurst enters the weekend on a nine-game winning streak, including road wins at Missouri S&T and Lincoln.

Drenin Dinkins (22.6 ppg) and Jaylen Wesley (21.3 ppg) form one of the most explosive scoring duos in the league. The Hawks shoot 36.7 percent from three and rank third in turnover margin (+2.27), while protecting the ball at just 10.2 turnovers per game.

To compete, UIS will need to reestablish its perimeter presence and control the glass against one of the conference's deepest and most efficient teams.

GLVC Outlook
UIS is locked into the GLVC Tournament, but seeding remains fluid. In the GLVC Point Rating System standings, Rockhurst leads at 4.28, followed by William Jewell (3.97), with Illinois Springfield and Indianapolis tied at 3.89.

With multiple teams tightly grouped in the standings, this week's results could significantly impact quarterfinal matchups and tournament positioning.

Follow Along
Both games will be available on GLVCSN, with live statistics provided for each contest.