The GLVC slate continues this weekend as Illinois Springfield women's basketball (4-15, 3-8 GLVC) takes on two road games. The Prairie Stars will first face Missouri-St. Louis on Thursday at 5:30 p.m., followed by a matchup with Lincoln on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
Illinois Springfield (4-15, 3-8 GLVC)
This past weekend, UIS split its games, defeating Missouri S&T on Thursday night before falling to league-leading Drury on Saturday. Against the Miners, the Prairie Stars used a strong third-quarter push to secure a 63-56 victory despite being outscored 18-11 in the fourth quarter. Emari Doby led the team with 19 points, while freshman Makenna Yeager impressed in her first start with a career-high nine points.
On Saturday, UIS faced a tough challenge against GLVC powerhouse Drury. The Prairie Stars stayed within two points after the first quarter and showed promise with their defense early in the second half, but the Panthers pulled away for an 85-65 win. Kayla Rice led all scorers with 20 points in the effort.
Missouri-St. Louis (14-4, 8-3 GLVC)
The Prairie Stars will take on the Missouri-St. Louis Tritons, a team that defeated UIS 87-67 in its GLVC opener at TRAC on November 30. UIS has improved since the last meeting, securing four wins as they aim for a stronger showing in the rematch.
The Tritons have been in solid form, winning five of their last six GLVC games. However, their recent 64-53 loss at Quincy highlighted early offensive struggles. UMSL made just one of its first 10 shots, allowing the Hawks to build an 18-3 lead. Although Emerson Weller's jumper helped the Tritons close the gap to seven late in the second quarter, Quincy extended its lead before halftime and capitalized on free throws to maintain control. UMSL's late-game efforts, including strong rebounding, weren't enough to overcome the deficit.
UMSL bounced back with a 57-52 victory over Maryville in a closely contested game. Both teams exchanged turnovers throughout, but Audrey Martinez-Stewart's consistent scoring kept the Tritons competitive. Martinez-Stewart regained the lead for UMSL late in the first quarter with a three-pointer and delivered a clutch steal in the final seconds to secure the win. Key plays in the closing minutes, including baskets by Rieder, Weller, and Hamill, extended UMSL's lead to 10 before Maryville's late surge brought the game within five.
Lincoln (1-15, 0-10 GLVC)
UIS will face the Lincoln Blue Tigers in Jefferson City, Mo., on Saturday afternoon. The Blue Tigers are still searching for their first GLVC win in their inaugural season as a conference member.
Last Thursday, Lincoln fell to McKendree 80-58 despite a 22-point effort from Imani Harris. The Blue Tigers held a brief lead early and cut the deficit to three late in the second quarter, but McKendree's third-quarter surge proved decisive. Lincoln shot .455 from the field but struggled from three-point range, converting just one attempt.
Lincoln's Saturday matchup against Maryville was halted, with a makeup date yet to be announced. This week, the Blue Tigers host Indianapolis on Thursday before facing UIS. UIS has won the last two meetings between the programs, with victories in 2015 and 2021.
Follow Along
Fans can follow each game live on the GLVC Sports Network (GLVCSN). Live statistics will also be provided, allowing viewers to stay updated on the action in real-time.