The UIS women's basketball team will begin their holiday period with a home game against Parkside on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. at The Recreation and Athletic Center (TRAC). The Prairie Stars are eager to break into the win column, while the visiting Rangers aim to rebound from their recent loss.
Illinois Springfield (0-8, 0-4 GLVC)
The Prairie Stars are still searching for their first win of the season after falling on the road twice last weekend. On Thursday night, UIS faced off against Maryville in a game the Saints controlled for most of the way. UIS came out strong, holding the lead for the first five minutes, but once Maryville took the lead, they never relinquished it. MU began to pull away in the second quarter, limiting UIS to only eight points, taking a 37-24 lead into the break. Maryville continued to extend their lead in the third quarter. The fourth quarter was high-scoring and more even, with both teams scoring 23 points. In the end, Maryville eased to a 79-58 win.
UIS started the weekend on the road at McKendree on Saturday. The Bearcats jumped out to a commanding lead in the first quarter, shooting over 61% from the field and scoring 31 points. UIS continued to battle as McKendree cooled off in the second quarter. The Prairie Stars had a much stronger second quarter, trimming the deficit. The Bearcats entered the halftime break with a 43-31 lead, with UIS still fighting to stay in the contest. UIS began the third quarter with momentum, going on a 7-2 run to cut the lead to just four points. McKendree responded with a run of their own, building the lead back to eleven points by the end of the third. UIS had a strong finish in the final frame, but it was not enough as McKendree earned a 72-62 win.
UIS currently averages 63.4 points per game on 41.2% shooting from the field and 29.7% shooting from three-point range. The Prairie Stars also average 33.4 rebounds, 10.6 assists, and 10.1 steals per game. UIS shoots 73.1% from the free-throw line as a team. Kayla Rice is averaging 16.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 2.6 steals per game. Emari Doby is averaging 14.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. Diavian Mehundrew also averages 13.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.1 assists.
Parkside (5-3, 1-1 GLIAC)
The Rangers began GLIAC play last weekend in Michigan with games on Thursday and Saturday. On Thursday, Parkside played Michigan Tech in their first conference game of the season. Parkside started the game slowly, as Michigan Tech raced out to an early lead in a physical contest. The Rangers remained in the game as both teams traded blows in the first and second quarters. A 9-0 run by the Rangers in the second quarter gave Parkside their first lead with 2:13 remaining in the first half. Michigan Tech took a 30-29 lead into the half on a last-second bucket. The teams continued to trade blows in the third quarter, with multiple lead changes. The fourth quarter continued in this manner, with neither team able to take control. With the game tied at 62, Michigan Tech managed to take the lead with four seconds remaining on a jumper. Parkside inbounded the ball and quickly got down the court to score a layup as time expired. The Rangers used this momentum in overtime, never trailing again and securing a 79-75 win.
On Saturday, the Rangers took on undefeated Northern Michigan, who are currently receiving votes in the national poll. The game was tight throughout, but a strong fourth quarter from the Wildcats kept their perfect season intact. Parkside appeared to have a commanding grip on the game in the third quarter, with a 46-34 lead at 4:42, but NMU ended the quarter on a 13-2 run to close the gap to one point. Northern Michigan took the lead in the first 15 seconds of the fourth quarter and never gave it back, going on to a 72-67 win.
Parkside currently averages 72.0 points per game on 39.9% shooting from the field and 26.2% shooting from three. The Rangers also average 43.6 rebounds, 13.1 assists, and 5.6 steals per game. UIS shoots 71.1% from the free-throw line as a team. Cassidy Arni leads the Rangers with 15.8 points per game and 6.5 rebounds per game. Sheridan Flauger averages 12.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. Peighton Nelson averages 12.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. Chloe Van Zeeland averages 10.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks. Lillie Peterson averages 8.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.