Prairie Stars Defeat Lewis in Close Conference Battle

Illinois Springfield men's basketball team secures 63-58 victory over Lewis at home

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Illinois Springfield Prairie Stars men's basketball team defeated the Lewis Flyers 63-58 in a close conference matchup at TRAC on Thursday night. The Prairie Stars were led by strong bench production, contributing 23 points to the win. Despite being outscored 34-25 in the second half, the home team made key plays down the stretch to secure the victory.

Why it matters

This win keeps the Prairie Stars in contention for a high seed in the upcoming Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Tournament. The team has already clinched a spot in the tournament, and this victory helps them position themselves for a strong postseason run.

The details

The Prairie Stars jumped out to a 38-24 halftime lead, led by strong performances from Tye Banks, Alex Stell, Jordan Rice, and Marlon Williams. In the second half, Lewis fought back to tie the game multiple times, but a late three-pointer from Isaiah Davis helped the Prairie Stars pull away for the 63-58 win. Britton Dutton led the Prairie Stars with 15 points, while Stell recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

  • The game was played on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
  • The Prairie Stars led 38-24 at halftime.
  • With 1:31 remaining, Isaiah Davis hit a three-pointer to put the Prairie Stars up by five points.

The players

Britton Dutton

A key player for the Prairie Stars, scoring 15 points in the game.

Jordan Rice

Contributed 8 assists and 8 points for the Prairie Stars.

Alex Stell

Recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, also adding 3 blocks.

Isaiah Davis

Hit a crucial three-pointer in the final minutes to help the Prairie Stars secure the win.

Tye Banks

Contributed key points in the paint for the Prairie Stars.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Credit to our guys late in the second half. Lewis did a terrific job after halftime, and we got out of our flow and rhythm. I thought our guys made big plays late to get the win. It wasn't a thing of beauty, but you take it any way you can get it in February.”

— Coach Brock (channel1450.com)

What’s next

The Prairie Stars will host their Senior Day game against Upper Iowa on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. at TRAC.

The takeaway

This close conference victory showcases the Prairie Stars' resilience and ability to make key plays down the stretch, even when facing a determined opponent. As they head into the GLVC Tournament, this win will give the team confidence and momentum to make a strong postseason run.