The University of Illinois Springfield women's basketball team concludes their 2023-24 regular season on the road this Saturday. The Prairie Stars will travel to Quincy to play the Hawks at 1:00 p.m.
UIS (14-13, 12-9)
The Prairie Stars went 0-2 on their travels last weekend. Currently, UIS sits in 5th in the GLVC Women's Basketball Point Rating System Rankings with an average rating of 3.26 points.
On Thursday night the Prairie Stars took on Truman State in Kirksville. TSU caught fire in the first quarter, shooting over 62%, to take a commanding lead. Truman wouldn't let the Stars get close as they continued to make shots. The Bulldogs shot over 52% from the field and 45% from three on their way to a 98-83 win.
Saturday's contest against Upper Iowa was much closer as both teams battled for a spot in the conference tournament. The Stars came out and took an early lead, but the Peacocks showed fight to go into halftime tied at 29. Both teams took turns with the lead in the third quarter, with four lead changes. UIU would open up a lead of seven with 48 seconds left, but Kayla Rice tried to keep UIS in with a shot. Upper Iowa was able to make free-throws as the time wound down for a 72-70 win.
The Prairie Stars are 5-7 on the road this year. UIS is averaging 76.9 points per game on 39.4% shooting. The Stars allow opponents to score 77.1 points per game on 47.1% shooting. UIS averages 37.7 rebounds, 14.11 assists, 7.0 three-pointers made, and a league-leading 11.89 steals. The Prairie Stars are 5-5 in their last 10 games.
Quincy (10-17, 9-12)
The Hawks went 1-1 on the road last weekend, as their chances to make the GLVC Tournament have slimmed down to next to impossible. QU is in 10th in the GLVC Women's Basketball Point Rating System Rankings with an average rating of 2.83 points.
On Thursday night the Hawks took on the Peacocks in Iowa. UIU led from start to finish, but not without some pressure from Quincy. QU was able to keep the score close in the first half, but Upper Iowa dominated the entire third and fourth quarter to win 81-57.
Saturday, Quincy took on Truman State, looking to snap a five-game losing streak. QU came out strong in the first quarter and was able to take a slim lead. Truman regained the advantage in the second quarter and took a four-point lead into the break. Both teams held the lead for periods of the second half, with Quincy taking the lead for good with 3:40 left in the contest. Made free-throws sealed the win for the Hawks, 92-89.
The Hawks are only 4-11 on their home court this year. Quincy is averaging 65.5 points on 38.0% shooting. QU allows opponents to score 68.9 points per game on 41.1% shooting. Quincy is averaging 38.6 rebounds, 12.52 assists, 7.37 steals, and 5.1 made three-pointers per game. The Hawks are 4-6 in their last 10 games. Quincy won the previous meeting between the two, 69-66.
Up Next
With a conference tournament spot already clinched, the Prairie Stars will await their seed and opponent to be revealed after the conclusion of Saturday's games.