After a strong home weekend that included a statement win over No. 25 UMSL, Illinois Springfield women's basketball hits the road this week for a pair of GLVC matchups, looking to build momentum and continue climbing the conference standings.

The Prairie Stars travel to St. Louis on Thursday, Feb. 5, to face Maryville at 5:15 p.m., before heading to Lebanon, Ill., for a 1:00 p.m. tip against McKendree on Saturday, Feb. 7. Coming off a 2-0 weekend at home, UIS sits at 9-11 overall and 6-6 in GLVC play, aiming to keep pace in the competitive middle of the league.

Illinois Springfield (9-11, 6-6 GLVC)
UIS made headlines last week with a 67-48 win over Lincoln and a thrilling 77-69 victory over No. 25 UMSL. Freshman Libby Blythe led the way against the Tritons with 18 points in just 21 minutes, while fellow freshman Julia Mingus added 17 points, including an impressive 7-of-8 from the free-throw line. Junior Kayla Rice also made history, setting program records for steals and three-pointers in the Lincoln game and surpassing 1,000 career points against UMSL. UIS leads the GLVC in three-pointers made and ranks second in three-point shooting percentage at 37.3%, while also pacing the league in steals.

Maryville (16-5, 10-3 GLVC)
Maryville comes into Thursday's matchup following a 75-65 loss to UMSL. The Saints nearly erased a 19-point deficit, cutting the margin to 59-54 heading into the final quarter before UMSL pulled away. Maryville boasts a balanced attack with top scoring from Lindsey Schadewalt, who leads the team with 13.7 points per game, shooting 81% from the free-throw line. The Saints excel defensively, holding opponents to 57.3 points per game, ranking fifth in the GLVC in rebounds (38.2 per game) and second in free-throw percentage (75.9%). UIS can expect a disciplined, physical game from a team that is strong inside and sharp from the charity stripe.

McKendree (11-8, 8-5 GLVC)
McKendree comes off a 76-63 loss to Maryville. The Bearcats, GLVC No. 7, are led by Kyra Taylor (13.4 points per game) and Baylie Parks (14.5 points per game, 8.5 rebounds per game). McKendree plays a scrappy style, thrives on second-chance points, and has a high-tempo approach. UIS will need to match their intensity and protect the ball to come away with a win in Lebanon.

GLVC Outlook
Maryville, McKendree, and UIS all rank among the conference's top five offenses.. With the Prairie Stars sitting ninth in the standings, every game from here on is pivotal as they fight to secure a spot in the top eight for the GLVC Tournament. UIS will rely on balanced scoring, sharp shooting, and team-effort defense to make this road swing a success.

Follow Along
All GLVC games are streamed on GLVCSN by the host school, which also provides live stats throughout the contest.