Illinois Springfield men's basketball (17-10, 13-6 GLVC) fell to William Jewell (18-9, 14-5 GLVC) in a narrow 69-68 defeat at the Mabee Center on Thursday night. This game was a flip of the December result where UIS won by one point. Despite a 10-point lead at halftime, the Prairie Stars could not hold off a second-half rally by the Cardinals. 

The opening half saw UIS establish a strong offensive presence, fueled by efficient shooting from beyond the arc. Jordan Rice and Isaiah Davis connected on crucial three-pointers, with Davis hitting a three at 8:17 to push the visiting Prairie Stars ahead 21-16. UIS managed to maintain momentum with another key basket from Rice at 1:51, securing a 10-point advantage by the end of the half at 37-27.

In the second half, the Prairie Stars initially expanded their lead with a layup by Alex Stell and a three-pointer from Isaiah Davis, assisted by Rice, within the first two minutes. Despite a short lived rally by the opposition, the Prairie Stars responded with a critical sequence featuring multiple contributions from Rice, who added a layup and free throw to maintain the edge. In the closing minutes, Marlon Williams secured a pivotal layup at 1:25, but the Cardinals stayed right on the heels of the Prairie Stars. William Jewell edged ahead with a last-second three-pointer, ending the game 69-68.

Rice scored 24 points, recorded nine assists, and collected three rebounds, leading the team's offensive efforts. Isaiah Davis added 18 points with five three-pointers, contributing significantly from beyond the arc. Tye Banks pulled down nine rebounds while Alex Stell recorded a team-high 10 rebounds and added a block, bolstering the defensive front.

The Prairie Stars have a record of 17-10 overall and 13-6 in GLVC play. William Jewell holds an 18-9 overall record and is 14-5 in GLVC competition. Two very closely matched teams went in with similar records and came out with very similar stats.

Up Next
The regular season finale at Rockhurst is scheduled for Saturday at 2:00 p.m.