Come Back Bid Falls Short for UIS

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Behind three in double figures the Illinois-Springfield men’s basketball team’s come back attempt fell just short, as the Prairie Stars were downed by Lincoln, 76-68, Saturday afternoon.

The Prairie Stars opened the game fast with a 16-4 lead, but for nearly five minutes UIS went cold. To close out of the first period, UIS scored just seven points, while Lincoln tallied 34 points.

UIS found itself down 20 (58-38) with 13:48 left in the game, but a furious come back was in order. The Prairie Stars tied the game with just two minutes remaining on junior #Michael Fakuade# jumper.

However, UIS wouldn’t get any closer, as Lincoln closed the game on an 8-0 run. In the closing minutes, the Prairie Stars missed their last four shots, which were all 3-point field goals.

Individually for UIS, Fakuade had 17 points in his first game of the season and also grabbed 16 rebounds. Juniors Lester Hart (16) and Jermaine Love-Roberts (10) along with senior Brandon Farmer (12) also were in double figures for UIS.

As a team, UIS shot 36 percent from the field (20-for-56), 19 percent from long range (4-for-21), while committing just 13 turnovers.

The Prairie Stars next action is Dec. 2, at Drury, when they open Great Lakes Valley Conference play.