Stars win home basketball opener

By Mark Brockett - Sports Reporter

The strategy of the UIS men's basketball team is simple: pressure on defense to create opportunities to score on offense. That philosophy was proven to be successful when the Stars defeated William Penn University in Iowa 91-80 Saturday in the first game of the regular season.

UIS led for most of the game and kept a 10-point advantage in the process. In the second half, William Penn came as close as 68-62, forcing head coach Kevin Gamble to call a time out, but couldn't close the gap any further. Both teams committed over 10 fouls in each half, keeping the game in doubt with the amount of free throws and possessions in question. However, the Stars used their pressure defense to create 18 turnovers and starting fast breaks and open three-point baskets from their deep roster to maintain control. The team also attacked the offensive boards in gathering 16 offensive rebounds.

Curtis Collins led the team with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Michael Griffin, the team's lone four-year player, added 17 points. Rick McDonald also had 10 points.

The point guards also played well as Kelvin Johnson, in his first game as a Prairie Star, had eight points and six assists. Corey Farmer added five points and five assists as well.

With the first game under their belts, the action and excitement is just beginning for this year's men's team. They look to improve on their first win tonight at home against the University of Indiana-South Bend. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Volleyball team rests for tournament

By Mike Fitzpatrick - Sports Reporter

This past week the Women's Volleyball team spent most of their time practicing and resting up for their big road trip to Davenport , Iowa for the St. Ambrose tournament. In doing so, the Stars' also received some good news as Senior Setter Megan Leonard was named the American Midwest Conference setter of the week. Leonard earned such an honor by contributing 95 assists in three of the previous conference matches while currently being ranked third in the conference.

With news such as that received this week, the Stars' looked to use it as momentum for the up coming matches. The first round pitted Wartburg College against UIS. Wartburg entered the match with a 17-11 record which they showed with their stellar play, why their record was as good as it is. The first game turned out to be very competitive as everyone was contributing and playing well, and it proved to the deciding factor as the Stars' won 32-30. From this point it was all downhill as Wartburg stepped up and punished UIS for the win in the first game, by winning the next three games 30-17, 30-23, and 30-20. Once again Leonard stepped up adding 30 more assists to her rather impressive stats followed by Sophomore Lauren Sanders pitching in with 10 kills with Junior Audra Roach right behind her with 9.

After the disappointing play in the first round, the Stars' moved on to the second round to take on Lindenwood University . As much as the team wanted to rebound in the second match with a win, Lindenwood proved to be too much for them to handle as they controlled the match from game one all the way till the end of game three winning by scores of 30-22, 30-11, and 30-18. Overall it didn't seem like the Stars' brought the intensity and level of play that was needed for the tournament but after coming off a long road trip and then a week off it was no wonder why they played as they did.

Going into the last match of the tournament UIS was matched up against Avila College . Game one proved to be a nail biter as both teams played extremely well and it was very competitive. In the end it was UIS who prevailed by a narrow margin of 30-28.

The second game proved to be just as good as both team set up for kills and really showed off some of the better fundamentals involved in Volleyball but once again it was UIS who won by the score of 30-22. With the momentum now on the Stars' side, they entered game three in good position to take the match, and they did just that winning 30-26 giving them the match. Senior Maria Ray and Sophomore Danielle Simler both helped out with 10 kills each followed by Leonard's 35 assists.

UIS now has three days off before traveling to Lincoln College on Tuesday night. After that match the Stars' will be at home for awhile having two games here this week on Thursday and Friday against Williams Baptist College and McKendree College . Both matches are conference matches and the McKendree game is actually Senior night so be sure to come out and support the team in what will be their last matches until the American Midwest Conference Tournament.

New coach, players for women's b-ball

By Micheal Fitzpatrick - Sports Reporter

During the off season, the UIS Women's basketball team made many changes, from Coaching, to new players coming in, and even a different mindset and attitude. After last years disappointing season, it was decided that a coaching change needed to be made, and in came Coach Roy Gilmore. Coach Gilmore brings to the Stars' some very needed experience as last year he was the Assistant Coach Incarnate Word Academy where he helped lead the Red Knights to a third place state finish in Missouri's class 5 division. Prior to working for Incarnate, Coach Gilmore was also an assistant coach at Southern Illinois at Edwardville. During his time there he had a 60-52 record and helped bring the Cougars to the NCAA division II tournament.

As soon as Coach Gilmore was given the position, he wasted little time signing three talented players Nicole White, Miesha Hill, and Jasmin Lassere in hopes that this might be one of the missing pieces that will be needed for a successful season. Coach Gilmore had something positive to say about the three new members of the team, “Nicole is an athletic guard that can run the floor well,” where as “Miesha is an active forward that can mix it up in the paint,” and “Jasmin is a very talented point guard who sees the floor well and gets her teammates involved in the offense.

The goal for the season obviously is to have a successful season, but more than that, Gilmore hopes to employ a team that meshes well together and that stresses pressure defense and ball movement. Gilmore added, “The philosophy is simple – pressure hard on the defensive end to create turnovers and easy baskets, offensively, we'll have to move the ball to get clean, open looks. We're going to have to be patient and play unselfishly to be successful.” When asked about players who have emerged as leaders and how practices are going Gilmore stated, ““Nicole and Kimyda have stepped up in practice and seem to be our leaders on the floor. Each player has the ability to get to the basket off the dribble and run the floor extremely well.”

Overall the team seems to be working very well with one another and it helps that their schedule doesn't appear to be all that difficult. The Stars' begin their season this week on Wednesday night in an away game against Lindenwood College , followed by another road game on Saturday against College of the Ozarks. Based upon the schedule it seems that the first home game with be on Friday the 18 th , against Taylor University so mark your calendars and be sure to come out and support our new coach and 2005-2006 Women's Basketball team.

Soccer revs up for postseason

By Mark Brockett- Sports Reporter

It is not how you start but how you finish. That is the motto the UIS men's soccer team has been following since day one of the 2005 season.

As it looks right now, the team looks as strong as they could be as the regular season comes to a close. The Prairie Stars won their final regular season game against St. Francis University in Indiana 3-0 Oct. 24. Goals were scored by two familiar faces while a new one arose in the box score as well. Michael Hutchinson and Jose Burgos each scored a goal and Adam Findley knocked in a goal to complete the solid victory over a non-conference opponent on the road.

Chris Schilling, the teams starting goalie, had five saves in the first half and Chance Walker, one of the back up goalies, had a save in the second half to keep the shut out in tact.

The Stars now look to tomorrow night as they will begin American Midwest Conference Tournament play as the No. 3 seed on the road against rival McKendree, who defeated the Prairie Stars on Homecoming, 3-1. The Stars led early on in the game but did not perform well down the stretch in that game.

If the Stars are to win, they will advance to the conference finals against either top-seed Hannibal LaGrange or No. 4 seed Columbia . If Columbia is to win along with the Stars, UIS will host that match-up. The Missouri Baptist Spartans aren't in this Conference tournament as they received an automatic bid into the Regional for the NAIA tournament.

The conference play-in will test just how strong this UIS team is and bring out the very best in them as they know there is no tomorrow.

Campus Recreational Sports Briefs

Intramural entry forms are now available from the Campus Recreational Sports (CRS) Office for participation in the Intramural Basketball Shooting Contests. The contest will be held on Friday, December 2 at 6pm in the UIS Gym. There will be a women's and men's division for each of the contests offered; free throw shooting, 3-point shot, super shot, and speed shooting. You may participate in all of the contests or only the ones you wish. To enter you must submit a completed entry form before the 11pm Wednesday, November 30 deadline. You must be at least 18 years old or a UIS student to enter. However present intercollegiate basketball players are not allowed to participate. For more entry information, check out the CRS website at www.uis.edu/recsports/ or stop by the Campus Rec Sports Office located in the Fitness Center (SLB 118) or call 206-6658.

Intramural Flag Football League Results

This weekend marked the conclusion of the regular season for Flag Football. The weekend began with 4 teams still fighting for the two spots in the championship game this weekend. Sgt. Mueller & His Soldiers, the Raccoons, The Graduates, and Her Majesty's Royal Squadron of MMV (Part Deux) all were in the hunt coming into the final weekend and the top two would not be decided until the final game of the weekend. Competition began Saturday with Sgt. Mueller & His Soldiers picking up a big 46-19 victory over the No Names. In the second game the Raccoons were dominant, beating Sgt. Mueller 58-19. On Sunday, Her Majesty's Royal Squadron picked up a forfeit victory over Sgt. Mueller pushing their record to 6-0 and guaranteeing them a spot in the championship. The second game Sunday was a battle for the second spot in the championship game as The Graduates took on the Raccoons. It was close all the way, but in the end The Graduates picked up a 47-42 victory and a chance to avenge their only loss of the season this weekend against Her Majesty's Royal Squadron. It should be a good game this weekend as these two teams battle it out for the Intramural Flag Football League Championship. Her Majesty's Royal Squadron won the first meeting between these two teams 34-21, so look for it to be another close game that could come down to the last minute.

How Can I Learn About Campus Rec Sports Activities and Events? Contact the Campus Recreational Sports Office located in the Fitness Center (SLB 118) at 206-6658; send an e-mail to RecSports@uis.edu ; or check out our website at www.uis.edu/recsports/ .

Stars win home basketball opener

Volleyball teams rests for tournament

New coach, players for women's b-ball

Soccer revs up for postseason

Campus Rec Sports Briefs