PURDUE NORTHWEST MEN'S BASKETBALL 2018-19 // GAME ELEVEN

SATURDAY, Dec. 15, 2018

7:00 PM | Purdue Northwest (3-7) at Illinois-Springfield (5-3) | The Recreation and Athletic Center | Springfield, Illinois

Live Stream | Live Stats | PNW Notes

HAMMOND, Ind. -- The Purdue Northwest men's basketball team (3-7) will hit the road Saturday to take on the Illinois-Springfield Prairie Stars (5-3) in its final game against Division II competition of the calendar year. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. in this non-conference contest. 

SCOUTING ILLINOIS-SPRINGFIELD

Illinois-Springfield enters Saturday's contest with an overall record of 5-3. The Prairie Stars were defeated in their only matchup of the season against a ranked opponent so far when they fell 85-66 to #2 Northwest Missouri State on Nov. 19. 

Overall, UIS is averaging 76 points per game, while shooting 45.3% from the field, 36% from three-point range, and 68.1% from the free-throw line. The Prairie Stars are pulling down an average of 35.5 rebounds per game, along with 12 assists, 8.5 steals, and 3.4 blocks. Illinois-Springfield is holding opponents to an average of 72.4 PPG, and forcing 15.6 turnovers per game.

Individually, the Prairie Stars are led by Gilwan Nelson, who scores at a clip of 16.6 points per game and grabs 5.5 rebounds per game. Nelson is shooting 54.5% for the season, including an impressive 53.8% from behind the arc. Peyton Allen averages 14.8 PPG and transferred to the Prairie Star program from Division I-Texas A&M. Cole Harper puts up 6.3 points per game and a team-best 7.6 rebounds per game. Aundrae Williams scores 12.5 PPG and leads the team with 2.3 assists per game. 

IN ILLINOIS-SPRINGFIELD'S LAST GAME

The Prairie Stars opened up conference play with a pair of road wins, as they knocked off Maryville and University of Missouri-St. Louis. In the win over UMSL on Dec. 1, Gilwan Nelson had 20 points as the Prairie Stars put up 80 points for the third consecutive game. Aundrae Williams had 16 points and led the team with four rebounds. UIS came out on top by a final of 83-74.

SERIES HISTORY

Saturday will be the first matchup between these two programs. 

UP NEXT

The Pride will have one more contest before the holiday break, as they will welcome Judson University on Dec. 18 to Westville. That game will tip-off at 5 p.m. (CST).