With postseason positioning on the line, UIS Women's Basketball closes the regular-season home schedule this week with a pair of Great Lakes Valley Conference matchups at TRAC. The Prairie Stars host the Lewis Flyers on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. before welcoming Upper Iowa on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

Illinois Springfield (11-13, 8-8 GLVC)
UIS has already more than doubled last season's win total and sits at .500 in conference play during head coach Olivia Birt's second season. The Prairie Stars enter the week with momentum after back-to-back road wins, defeating Missouri S&T 66-45 and Indianapolis 75-57.

Offensively, UIS ranks sixth in the GLVC at 68.0 points per game and is one of the league's most efficient perimeter teams. The Prairie Stars lead the conference in three-point field goals made (206) and rank second in three-point percentage (.373). UIS also tops the GLVC in turnover margin (+4.13) and steals per game (13.0).

Kayla Rice leads UIS at 15.2 points per game and ranks second in the league in steals. Julia Mingus (12.3 ppg) and Kennedy Osterman (11.7 ppg) provide additional scoring, with Osterman also among the conference leaders in steals.

Lewis (15-9, 11-5 GLVC)
Lewis enters the week fourth in the GLVC standings, with the three teams above them having clinched conference tournament berths. The Flyers split last weekend, earning a 70-65 overtime win over Maryville before falling 61-54 to McKendree.

The Flyers are led by Mallory Ramage (13.8 ppg), Yahaira Bueno (12.5 ppg), and Ally Cesarini (11.1 ppg). Cesarini leads the GLVC in steals at 3.5 per game, while Lewis ranks among the conference leaders in blocked shots at 3.5 per contest.

Upper Iowa (13-12, 9-8 GLVC)
Upper Iowa comes to Springfield in the middle of the GLVC postseason race, sitting just 0.12 points ahead of UIS in the GLVC Point Rating System entering the weekend.

The Peacocks are led by Ellie Foster (13.8 ppg), Ava Privet (12.5 ppg), and Kendyl Lodermeier (11.3 ppg), with Lodermeier ranking among the GLVC leaders in field goal percentage. Upper Iowa also ranks among the conference's top three teams in three-point field goals made.

Promotions
Thursday – CEFCU Pajama Party
Fans are encouraged to wear pajamas and take part in student engagement activities, including a residence hall competition between Founders and Lincoln in partnership with UIS Residence Life. 

Saturday – Senior Day | Cancer Awareness & Local Heroes Day
UIS will recognize graduate players Kennedy Osterman and Brynn Tabeling prior to tipoff and honor cancer fighters and survivors, first responders, healthcare professionals, and local heroes.