Prairie Stars Secure Key GLVC Win Against Lewis

Illinois Springfield women's basketball team edges Lewis 59-56 with strong fourth quarter performance

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The Illinois Springfield women's basketball team (12-13, 9-8 GLVC) defeated Lewis (15-11, 11-6 GLVC) by a score of 59-56 in a close Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) matchup. The Prairie Stars capitalized on 19 points off turnovers to secure their third straight GLVC win, moving them up in the GLVC Point Rating System (PRS) from 9th to 8th place.

Why it matters

This key GLVC victory helps the Prairie Stars improve their conference standing and position themselves for a potential postseason berth. The win also showcases the team's resilience and ability to make crucial plays down the stretch against a tough Lewis squad.

The details

The game was tightly contested throughout, with both teams exchanging leads in the first half. The Prairie Stars took control in the third quarter, sparked by three-pointers from Kennedy Osterman and Kayla Rice. In the fourth quarter, Julia Mingus hit a pivotal three-pointer to help UIS regain the lead, and the team sealed the victory by making crucial free throws in the final minutes.

  • The game was played on February 19, 2026.
  • The Prairie Stars have now won three straight GLVC games.

The players

Kayla Rice

A key contributor for the Prairie Stars, recording a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while also adding four assists and three blocks.

Julia Mingus

Scored 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including a crucial three-pointer in the fourth quarter, and added two steals to the defensive effort.

Molly Knight

Contributed 8 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals to the Prairie Stars' victory.

Makenna Yeager

Finished with 6 points and 4 rebounds, while also recording 2 steals on the defensive end.

Kennedy Osterman

Hit a key three-pointer in the third quarter to help the Prairie Stars take control of the game.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was a big game for us in the GLVC standings, and the team really stepped up in the second half to secure the win. I'm proud of the way we battled and made the plays we needed to down the stretch.”

— Kayla Rice, Prairie Stars Guard

What’s next

The Prairie Stars will host Upper Iowa on Saturday, February 22nd at 1:00 PM in another crucial GLVC matchup.

The takeaway

This hard-fought victory over a conference rival demonstrates the Prairie Stars' ability to win close games and improve their positioning in the GLVC standings. The team's balanced scoring, defensive intensity, and clutch plays in the fourth quarter were key factors in securing this important conference win.