UIS’ comeback against the Oakland City University Oaks ended with an upset for the Prairie Stars. After being down by a least two points for the entire game, UIS was able to tie the game in the final minutes. Unfortunately, Oakland City University overpowered the Prairie Stars and won the game 73-71.

Oakland City began the game on top when junior Brandi Richardson made a three in the third minute of the game.

After this UIS was able to make one shot, followed by six straight points by the Oaks. This gave the Oaks a 9-2 lead, which they held for the majority of the game.

During the first half, the Prairie Stars were able to get the score within six points two separate times. The first comeback began with seven straight points by junior Carly Goede, pushing the score to 26-16. After this four more points by UIS provided a score of 26-20.

Oakland City then made two points off of free throws, but four straight points by UIS brought the game within four points. The score was then 28-24, with less than four minutes left in the first half.

UIS then faltered slightly, allowing Oakland City University to score 11 points, scoring only three points themselves. The first half ended 39-27 with Oakland City in the lead.

The Oaks made the first shot in the second half by a three pointer from Brooke Jackson. UIS then began the second half with a layup by Bergerud, followed by two made free throws by Elizabeth Kelly. At this point, the score was 42-31 with 18 minutes left in the half.

The next 13 minutes included back and forth points between the two teams. With 4:22 left on the clock, Bergerud made a layup that started the Prairie Stars’ biggest comeback of the night.

Four points by Kelly and a three pointer by Bergerud pushed the score to 71-69 with less than two minutes remaining in the game.

After being down for almost the full 40 minutes of the game, UIS Prairie Stars tied the game against the Oakland City University Oaks with 19 seconds left on the clock. Kelly made a layup to create this tie. The Oaks then made it down the court and senior Lyndi Tedder made a layup to put the Oaks up by two in fourteen seconds.

After this UIS had eight seconds to tie the game once again. Megan Bergerud put up a three that would have won the game for UIS but it was to no avail. The Prairie Stars then lost the game 73-71.

Bergerud hit 1,007 career points, 24 of which came directly from the game during her 37 minutes of playing time. Goede had a total of 12 points; Kelly also had the same amount of points.

Coach Chad Oletzke stated that the team “kept fighting throughout the game, right to the end.” Oletzke also explained that the game was somewhat like a “tale of two halves.”

The team got off to a slow start according to Oletzke, and this led to a “big hole” that the team could not dig themselves out of.

Oletzke also stated that the team “struggled at playing with energy and effort from the beginning.” Oletzke also added that the team was not as focused as they needed to be. Later, the team was able to give themselves a chance to win, but gave it up within the last few possessions.