UIS faced UW-Parkside in a game that saw six lead changes in the first half and a less eventful second half. UW-Parkside gained a large lead in the second half and ended the game on top, 68-52.

The Prairie Stars were strong competitors in the first 20 minutes of Saturday’s game. The UW-Parkside Rangers started the game ahead with a layup in the third minute of the game. The Rangers didn’t hold the lead for long.

UIS scored two points off of a jumper. After the shot, UW-Parkside steadily gained a lead of seven points with over 12 minutes left on the clock. UIS brought this lead to one point two minutes later.

With 8:47 on the clock, UIS was able to tie the game at 16 with a 3-pointer made by Jamie Cuny, a freshman guard/forward.

UIS and UW-Parkside combatted for the top for the remainder of the half. The game was tied with around four minutes left in the first half.

The Rangers were able to gain an edge over UIS after a couple of free throws and a 3-pointer. They ended the half with a 5-point lead, 28-23.

One minute into the second half, UW-Parkside made a layup that increased their lead to seven. This quick start by the Rangers was rather telling for how the rest of the game would go.

UIS was able to keep the lead at eight points with 10 minutes into the second half. However, UW-Parkside surpassed the Prairie Stars by 21 points at one time in the final minutes of the game.

UIS was able to slightly lower this deficit before the minutes ran out, ending the game with a 16-point shortfall.

Senior guard/forward Megan Bergerud was a leader for UIS, making 18 points and one steal. Alyssa Palmer, a senior guard for UIS, elicited nine points and four steals for the team.

Sophomore Tara Knapstein, a guard for UW-Parkside, completed on two 3-pointers, four field goals, and eight free-throws, tallying 22 points for the Rangers. Junior guard/forward Gaby Bronson produced 16 points.

UIS will be back in action Feb. 26 in their final game against McKendree.