Illinois Springfield got off to a slow start as Missouri Baptist built an early lead. The Prairie Stars cut into the deficit late in the first half, highlighted by a three-pointer from Tye Banks in the closing seconds, but still trailed 33-27 at halftime. UIS committed seven turnovers in the opening half but stayed within striking distance by converting 7-of-10 free throws.
Illinois Springfield continued to chip away late in the second half and tied the game at 61 when Jordan Rice knocked down a free throw. Rice followed with a second free throw to give the Prairie Stars their first lead of the game, 62-61, with 2:14 remaining. Missouri Baptist answered down the stretch, and Isaiah Davis later connected on a three-pointer to tie the game at 65-65, sending the contest to overtime.
In the first overtime, Illinois Springfield briefly took control with a Tye Banks free throw at 66-65, then again when Stell scored on a layup with 2:00 remaining to give the Prairie Stars a 68-67 lead. Stell added two free throws with 39 seconds left to push the advantage to 70-67. Missouri Baptist answered, however, with a game-tying three-pointer by Austin Lewis with 10 seconds remaining. Rice’s layup attempt at the buzzer was off the mark, sending the game to a second overtime tied at 70.
Davis opened the second overtime with a three-pointer, assisted by Rice, but the Spartans responded with a jumper from Thai Elder and another three-pointer by Lewis to regain the lead. A fast-break layup by Preston Fortner extended Missouri Baptist’s advantage to 77-73.
The Prairie Stars responded again, as Stell scored on a layup and Rice followed with another basket at the 1:22 mark to tie the game at 77. Missouri Baptist regained the lead for good on a layup by Javaris Moye with 53 seconds remaining, and UIS was unable to convert on its final possessions.
Davis led the Prairie Stars with 17 points, connecting on five three-pointers while adding six rebounds. Stell posted a double-double with 16 points and 16 rebounds. Rice finished with 13 points and six assists, while Banks added 15 points, including two three-pointers, and five rebounds.
“Not the way we wanted to finish up what was a good semester,” head coach Matt Brock said. “Missouri Baptist is a really good team, and they shot the three as well as they’ve shot it all year. Credit to our guys for coming back, but in a close game, sometimes the coin flips the wrong way.”
Up Next
UIS closes out the 2025 portion of the 2025-26 season on Jan. 31 with a 1:00 p.m. home game against William Woods at TRAC.
