The UIS men's basketball team will head to Springfield, Mo., next week for the annual DoubleTree Thanksgiving Classic hosted by Drury. The Prairie Stars are set to face Central Missouri on Tuesday at 3:15 p.m., followed by a matchup against Union on Wednesday at the same time.
Illinois Springfield (2-1)
The Prairie Stars last played on Saturday, Nov. 16, in the Wisconsin Dells against Northern Michigan. UIS held the lead for much of the game, but a last-second three-pointer from the Wildcats gave them an 85-83 victory. UIS surged to a nine-point lead with less than four minutes played. The teams exchanged baskets throughout the first half, with NMU taking a slim lead with eight minutes remaining. However, UIS responded and regained the advantage, heading into halftime with a 48-42 lead. The second half continued the back-and-forth battle, with UIS expanding their lead to 10 points with 11:09 left in the game. An 11-2 run by the Wildcats cut the lead to just three points. Both teams fought for every point, setting up a dramatic finish. Max Kunnert's two free throws gave UIS an 83-80 lead with 13 seconds remaining. However, NMU answered with two free throws to make it a one-point game with seven seconds left. With five seconds on the clock, Khalil Ross was fouled and sent to the free-throw line but missed both attempts. Northern Michigan quickly moved down the court and found Julien Smith, who hit the game-winning shot as time expired.
UIS is currently averaging 78.7 points per game on 53.0% shooting from the field and 47.4% from beyond the arc. The Prairie Stars also average 33.3 rebounds, 13.0 assists, and 4.3 steals per game. As a team, they are shooting 69.0% from the free-throw line.
Key Performers:
Max Kunnert 15.7 pts | 4.0 reb | 1.0 ast
Khalil Ross 12.7 pts | 4.3 reb | 1.0 ast
Jack Weber 12.3 pts | 3.0 reb | 3.3 ast
Tye Banks 9.7 pts | 5.3 reb | 1.3 ast
Central Missouri (2-2)
The Mules last played on Thursday, Nov. 21, against GLVC foe Quincy. QU started fast and never relinquished their lead on the way to the win. Quincy looked to pull completely away in the second half as they built their lead to thirteen points. UCM went on a 14-4 run to cut the Hawks lead to only four points. The Hawks responded with a 7-0 run of their own to build the lead back to eleven points. The Mules brought the game to within one point with twenty-one seconds left. Quincy was able to ice the game at the free throw line and lock up a last second three-point attempt from UCM to earn the 68-65 win.
Central Missouri currently averages 69.8 points per game on 45.3% shooting from the field and 31.9% shooting from three. The Mules also average 32.3 rebounds, 11.5 assists, and 7.0 steals per game. UCM shoots 69.1% from the free-throw line as a team.
Key Performers:Tim Jordan Jr. 14.3 pts | 2.8 reb
DeAirius Barker 13.0 pts | 2.0 reb | 3.0 ast | 1.0 stl
Kyran Tilley 9.5 pts | 2.5 reb | 1.3 ast
Elijah Farr 9.3 pts | 7.3 reb | 1.5 ast
Union (4-0)
The Bulldogs last played on Tuesday, Nov. 19, against Bethel in a game that featured 21 lead changes. Both teams fought for every point, with Union holding a slim 46-45 lead at halftime. The second half continued in a similar fashion, but Union struggled with their three-point shooting. With twelve seconds left, Bethel took a two-point lead following a driving layup. After a timeout, Union ended their shooting slump from beyond the arc with a game-winning three-pointer from Kaleim Taylor as the horn sounded, securing an 85-84 victory at the buzzer. The win gave the Bulldogs a perfect 4-0 start to the season.
Union is currently averaging 82.8 points per game on 48.3% shooting from the field and 35.0% shooting from three. The Bulldogs also average 40.5 rebounds, 12.3 assists, and 7.0 steals per game. As a team, they are shooting 76.7% from the free-throw line.
Key Performers:CJ Jackson 15.5 pts | 5.8 reb | 1.5 ast
Parker Applegate 13.0 pts | 6.8 reb | 1.5 ast
Devaki Garr 11.0 pts | 2.5 reb | 2.5 ast | 2.0 stl
Kaleim Taylor 10.5 pts | 5.0 reb | 2.5 ast | 1.5 stl