The University of Illinois Springfield men's basketball team will conclude the 2023-24 regular season on the road at Quincy. The Prairie Stars will travel to QU on Saturday to play the Hawks at 3:00 p.m.
UIS (17-12, 10-9)
The Prairie Stars went 1-1 on the road last weekend, securing a spot in the GLVC Tournament. UIS is currently tied for 6th place in the GLVC Men's Basketball Point Rating System Rankings with an average rating of 3.21 points. The Prairie Stars also appeared at 9th in the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Rankings.
On Thursday night the Stars took on Truman State in Kirksville looking to avenge their loss earlier in the year. TSU took an early lead, but UIS was able to hang around and keep the score close. A Khalil Ross dunk with 34 seconds left in the first half gave the Stars the lead for good. A quick 9-0 run gave UIS some breathing room as they kept the Bulldogs at a safe distance. UIS walked away as winners, 74-65.
Saturday afternoon the Stars took on Upper Iowa, the second-place team in the GLVC. Upper Iowa showed why they are one of the top teams in the conference, taking a commanding lead. The Peacocks led by as many as eighteen in the second half, but UIS was able to fight back and cut the lead to only five points. UIU made every shot they attempted in the final two minutes of action to win 83-72.
The Prairie Stars are 5-5 on the road this year. UIS is averaging 80.6 points per game on 51.0% shooting. The Prairie Stars are holding opponents to 73.7 points per game on 45.5% shooting. The Stars lead the conference in three-point field goal percentage at 41.3%. UIS is averaging 34.0 rebounds, 15.14 assists, and 8.8 threes per game. The Stars are second in the GLVC in points per game, team field goal percentage, assists, and margin of victory (+6.8). UIS is 4-6 in their last 10 games. The Prairie Stars won the previous matchup with Quincy earlier in the year 78-56.
Quincy (11-16, 6-13)
The Hawks went 0-2 on their travels last weekend. Quincy is out of the playoff picture as they are currently 13th in the GLVC Men's Basketball Point Rating System Rankings with an average rating of 2.47 points.
Thursday night the Hawks took on the Peacocks, which turned out to be a much closer contest than many would expect. QU started the game on fire, going up as many as eleven points in the first half. UIU cut the lead down, but Quincy still took a three point lead into the half. The second half was back-and-forth as both teams took turns with small leads. Upper Iowa opened up a slight gap with a minute and a half left. The Peacocks were able to continuously make clutch free-throws down the stretch to secure the win, 85-81.
On Sunday QU played Truman State. TSU took the lead early and never looked back on their way to a huge win. Truman shot over 50% in both halves in their wire-to-wire win. Truman State won the contest 94-55, going 9-1 in the month of February.
The Hawks have had success at home this season, going 8-5. Quincy is averaging 70.6 points per game on 41.4% shooting. QU allows opponents to score 72.5 points per game on 43.4% shooting. Quincy averages a league-leading 38.1 rebounds per game, 11.74 assists, and 7.37 steals. The Hawks are 2-8 in their last 10 games.
Up Next
The Prairie Stars await their opponent and seeding at the conference tournament next weekend, depending on the results around the league on Saturday.