The Illinois Springfield women's basketball team dropped a hard-fought game to Lake Superior State, 63-56, on Thursday evening.

Game Recap

• The game saw a slow offensive start, tied 4-4 through the first five minutes. Lake Superior State then surged ahead with back-to-back three-pointers, closing the period with an 18-8 lead
• UIS gained momentum in the second quarter, highlighted by key layups from Emari Doby and Allysia McDaniel. The Prairie Stars capitalized on turnovers, outscoring the Lakers 9-5 in points off turnovers, while recording seven steals in the half. Despite its efforts, UIS trailed 30-25 at halftime
• A 30-second stretch in the third quarter saw LSSU score eight points in rapid succession, including a layup, four free throws, and another layup to extend the lead. The Lakers dominated the period, outscoring UIS 17-8 and entering the final quarter with a 47-33 advantage
• UIS began to chip away at the deficit in the final frame, sparked by a deep three-pointer from Kayla Rice. The Prairie Stars outscored LSSU 23-16 in the quarter, avoiding turnovers for seven straight minutes and shooting 40% from beyond the arc. Despite their strong push, LSSU held on to secure the win
• UIS shot 35% from the field compared to LSSU's 39.6% and trailed in three-point shooting, 23.1% to 30.8%. The Lakers also led the game in rebounding, 40-33, including a 30-21 edge in defensive boards

Up Next
The Prairie Stars continue their Michigan road trip with a matchup against Ferris State on Friday afternoon in Big Rapids. The game will be streamed live on FloSports.