The always entertaining matchup between the Illinois Springfield and Southwest Baptist men's basketball teams ended in a 68-67 victory for UIS on Thursday night at SBU. Evan Altman and Max Kunnert shared scoring duties in the win, totaling 22 and 20 points, respectively. UIS improved to 8-8 overall and 3-5 in GLVC play, while SBU dropped to 6-8 overall and 3-5 in conference action.

"The game changed in the last seven minutes of the first half when we strung together several defensive stops in a row," said Coach Matt Brock. "We had some lineups that haven't played much together and they found a way. Isaiah Esker was terrific defensively, and Tye Banks and Khalil Ross made clutch free throws. All road wins are good road wins!"

Game Recap

• The game, which saw 11 lead changes and seven ties, got off to a fast-paced start as Southwest Baptist took an early 15-10 lead.
• The Bearcats continued to fight, pushing their advantage to 35-30 and maintaining a narrow lead over UIS. In the first half, both teams attempted 21 field goals, with SBU converting 14 and UIS connecting on 13.
• UIS forced the Bearcats into a scoring drought, closing the gap to just two points at halftime, 37-35. SBU hit three of its four attempted free throws in the first half, helping them maintain the lead, while UIS struggled at the free-throw line, converting only two of seven attempts.
  Max Kunnert came out strong in the second half, quickly putting UIS ahead. The Prairie Stars' defense shut down SBU again, but the Bearcats responded with back-to-back three-pointers to lead again.
• The Prairie Stars then made a push with a 6-0 run, taking a 47-43 lead with 14:20 remaining—its first advantage beyond the Bearcats' scoring reach in the game.
• The battle for dominance in the second half was partially fueled by three-point shooting, as both teams drained pivotal shots, with Altman and Kunnert delivering crucial three-pointers midway through the half.
• A 7-0 run put UIS in a favorable position late, but SBU drained a three-pointer with just 9 seconds to play. After a free throw by Tye Banks gave UIS a one-point lead, the Bearcats missed a final heave, allowing UIS to come away with the win.
• The Prairie Stars shot 51.0% from the field, 38.1% from three-point range, and 53.3% from the free-throw line, converting 8 of 15 attempts. The Bearcats finished at 48.1% shooting overall, 36.4% from deep, and made 77.8% of their free throws, hitting 7 of 9.

Up Next
The Prairie Stars will travel to Kansas City, Mo., on Saturday to play the Rockhurst Hawks  at 2:00 p.m.

Around the GLVC
Illinois Springfield 68, Southwest Baptist 67
Rockhurst 90, Indianapolis 72
Lewis 67, William Jewell 66
Missouri-St. Louis 69, Lincoln 51
Missouri S&T 88, Maryville 78
Drury 84, McKendree 70
Upper Iowa 73, Truman State 70