The UIS men's basketball team returns to action on Sunday, Jan. 5, traveling to face the Indianapolis Greyhounds in a聽GLVC聽showdown. This marks the Prairie Stars' first game since their dramatic 94-91 overtime victory at Grand Valley State on Dec. 20.
Illinois Springfield (6-6, 1-3 GLVC)
The Prairie Stars enter the聽matchup聽aiming to build on their momentum from two wins before the holiday break. Senior Evan Altman delivered a career-high 31 points, including seven three-pointers, in the win over Grand Valley. UIS controlled much of the game, leading by 10 points late in the second half before a GVSU rally forced overtime. In the extra period, Max Kunnert hit a clutch three-pointer and added late free throws to secure the victory. Altman, Kunnert, and Jack Weber combined for 61 points, while the team shot an impressive 47.6% from the field and 36% from three-point range.
Altman, a native of Indianapolis, has been in stellar form, posting career-highs in back-to-back games. He averages 11.0 points per game as part of a balanced UIS offense led by聽Kunnert聽(15.6 PPG), Weber (12.6 PPG), and Khalil Ross (10.3 PPG). UIS ranks 19th in NCAA Division II in field goal percentage, shooting 49.9% as a team, and averages 74.9 points per game.
The Prairie Stars face a tough challenge against聽UIndy, a team they trail 15-3 in the all-time series. The team's last victory over the Greyhounds came in 2020.
Indianapolis (6-4, 0-3 GLVC)
The Greyhounds are searching for their first conference win after dropping GLVC聽matchups聽to Lewis, Missouri-St. Louis, and聽Maryville. However, they ended 2024 on a high note, securing a thrilling 81-79 victory over No. 19聽Hillsdale. Brody Whitaker's decisive three-pointer in the final minutes gave聽UIndy聽the lead, and the team held off a late rally with strong defensive stops.
Whitaker leads the Greyhounds with 16.7 points per game, shooting 42.7% from the field. Dashawn Jackson adds 15.8 points per contest, while Dylan Ingram contributes 10.3. Tucker Tornatta, who is shooting 44.4% from beyond the arc, has started the team's last three games and provides additional scoring depth.
Game Details
The聽matchup聽will be streamed live on the , and fans can follow online.聽Tipoff聽is set for Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Central (3:30 p.m. Eastern) at聽Nicoson聽Hall in Indianapolis.