Jordan Rice scored 40 points including the game winner with 9 seconds left to give the University of Illlinois-Springfield a 61-60 win over William Jewell in GLVC action at TRAC on Monday evening.
From UIS
Illinois Springfield men’s basketball (5-2, 2-0 GLVC) edged William Jewell (2-4, 0-1 GLVC) 61-60 in a closely contested GLVC matchup at TRAC on Monday night. UIS overcame a four-point halftime deficit to secure the victory, with a strong second-half performance in the paint. UIS stayed competitive down the stretch and pulled out the win in the final moments.
The game started with both teams trading baskets, but William Jewell initially took a slight edge with Isaac Patterson’s three-pointer. UIS responded with Tye Banks and Jordan Rice contributing in the paint to keep the score close. Despite missing several opportunities, the Prairie Stars kept pace by hitting key shots, including a three-pointer from Adidas Davis that cut the deficit to two points at 16-14.
As the period progressed, the Prairie Stars tied the game at 21 on a layup by Rice, demonstrating resilience. However, William Jewell regained the lead with consistent free-throw shooting and a late three-pointer by Patterson. The Prairie Stars ended the period trailing 28-24, poised for a competitive continuation in the next period.
UIS opened the second half by overcoming an early deficit with Isaiah Davis scoring a layup, assisted by Alex Stell. Despite turnovers and missed opportunities, Rice kept the momentum with a layup at 14:41 to narrow the gap to 38-30.
The Prairie Stars faced a series of turnovers but managed a key defensive rebound by Isaiah Davisat 12:07. William Jewell stretched its lead to 15 points with just over eight minutes remaining in the second half, but UIS would rally down the stretch. Banks hit a crucial three-pointer at 6:32, pulling the opponent back within 10 points, as Rice followed with a layup and free throw sequence, cutting the WJC lead to 51-44.
In the closing minutes, the Prairie Stars surged with Rice scoring a pivotal three-pointer at 2:00, bringing the score to 58-51. Banks and Stell contributed with key rebounds and points, and with just nine seconds remaining, Rice hit a jumper assisted by Stell to secure the lead. The Prairie Stars closed it out, 61-60.
Rice scored 40 points, hitting 14 of 31 from the field and converting 9 of 12 free throws, all while nearly achieving a double-double with nine rebounds. Jordan Rice’s career night not only pushed him past 1,000 career points but also broke UIS’s Division II-era single-game scoring record of 36 points and tied the program’s all-time single-game mark. Tye Banks and Isaiah Davis added seven points apiece.
UIS shot 36.1% from the field, including 20% from three-point range, and outrebounded William Jewell 39-35, with 12 offensive boards. UIS also forced 10 turnovers and scored 13 points off turnovers.
“Tremendous effort and heart from our guys,” said head coach Matt Brock. “They kept playing when it looked really bleak. We defended well, though it took us until late in the second half to get the pace to our liking. Jordan Rice was special.”
Up Next
UIS hosts McKendree on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and Maryville on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.
