The University of Illinois Springfield women's basketball team will continue their season with their first home game at TRAC of the 2023 season against conference foe Southwest Baptist at 5:30 p.m.
UIS (2-0)
The Prairie Stars started the season at the Purdue Northwest Regional Crossover, where they went 2-0 against two GMAC opponents in Tiffin and Hillsdale.
Against the Tiffin Dragons on Friday night, UIS earned their first victory of the year in a back-and-forth battle between the two. The Prairie Stars pulled ahead for the last time with 5:46 on the clock. The Dragons pressured in the final minutes, but UIS made 4-of-6 free throws in the final 30 seconds of play to hold them off and come away with the victory. Jessenia Lawson led UIS in scoring, shooting 56.4% from the field and making 4-of-7 attempted free throws to tally 22 points in her debut for the Prairie Stars. Senior Liz Uhl also contributed 15 points, three rebounds and two steals.
On Saturday afternoon against Hillsdale, UIS recorded a big win to move to 2-0 in the young season. Three Prairie Stars recorded huge days from the field; Michaela Gibbons (7-11 FG, 22 points), Jessenia Lawson (8-15 FG, 20 points), and Liz Uhl (7-11 FG, 19 points). UIS jumped to an early lead in the first quarter, 31-17, and never looked back. The Prairie Stars shot 57.4% (31-54) from the field, while Hillsdale only shot 38.6% (22-57).
On Wednesday morning, the Prairie Stars traveled to Indiana State to compete in an exhibition match. The Sycamores led 35-30 at the break, but strong three-point shooting in the third quarter from Michaela Gibbons brought the Stars back into the game. UIS shot just 35% from the field and 29% from three, but a strong defensive performance and clutch free-throws down the stretch allowed for the upset victory over the Division I Sycamores. Another high-quality performance from Amaya Asher included 17 points, seven rebounds, four steals, and three assists. Jessenia Lawson also contributed 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
Southwest Baptist (1-2)
The Bearcats fell to 0-2 in their opening weekend in Nashville, Tenn. at the Midwest Region Crossover
The Bearcats came up short in their opening game of the season, falling 55-70 to Trevecca Nazarene on Friday night. Junior Claudia Vanzant led all Bearcats in scoring with 15 total points. She went 4-7 from the field and 7-8 from the charity stripe. Senior Kallyn Stumbo had a strong showing for SBU scoring 11 points, pulling down five rebounds, dishing out five assists, and recording 2 steals.
On Saturday afternoon the Bearcats faced the Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers, looking to even their record. The Bearcats would fall to the Panthers 55-81, making them 0-2 on the season. Senior Teagan Brouwer led the Bearcats as she had her first double-double of the season as she put up 13 points along with 11 rebounds. Sophomore Kristin Edmonds also had 9 points and 3 rebounds as she went 3-5 from the field.
On Tuesday night the Bearcats hosted their first home game of the season, against NAIA school Missouri Baptist. The Bearcats picked up their first win of the season, 72-51, a game in which they never trailed. Kallyn Stumbo had a career day recording her first ever double-double. She had career highs in both points (19) and rebounds (12) to go along with her five assists and three steals. Stumbo went 7-9 from the field and 5-6 from the free-throw line. Tori Hamilton recorded 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Jayde Williams also had a career high in points with 13 with two three-pointers made.
How to Watch
All home games and away games against GLVC opponents this year will be streamed on GLVCSN under a paywall. A $75 sport access pass will allow fans to watch any women's basketball game. A $100 pass is available to watch all men's basketball, women's basketball, and football. Single-game access is priced at $10.
Up Next
The Prairie Stars continue early season conference action with a trip to Rockhurst on Wednesday, November 22.