The women of UIS faced off against the McKendree University Bearcats in Lebanon, Ill. Saturday, falling 71-64.

Megan Bergerud led all UIS scorers with 16 points, shooting 7-18 from the floor, and Kelly Elizabeth recorded a double-double in rebounds and points, with 13 boards and 14 points.

As a team, the Prairie Stars shot 43.5 percent from the floor, which was actually better than the Bearcats’ 41.5 percent. UIS got to free throw line only 11 times, and converted only 5 of those attempts, to the Bearcats’ 21 made free throws of their 25 attempts, making 15-16 in the second half to make their game total percentage from the stripe 84 percent.

The Bearcats also came out on top in the assist-turnover ratio, making 11 assists to seven turnovers, while the Prairie Stars fell in the negative with eight assists to 14 turnovers. A bright spot for UIS, and the reason this game remained competitive, was their work on the glass, soundly out rebounding McKendree 43 to 27 with 18 second chance points and 26 points in the paint. Despite the good rebounding numbers, they could not overcome the 19 points off of turnovers that the Bearcats produced.

McKendree took the lead early and allowed only one change in the lead throughout the game, while UIS came close on a few occasions, the Bearcats ultimately held the lead from start to finish.

After this loss, the Stars are 0-1 in conference play, and have yet to win a game on the road.

The lady Prairie Stars are returning to the TRAC on Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. to face Robert Morris University.