ST. LOUIS, MO. – The University of Missouri-St. Louis women's basketball team committed 21 turnovers Thursday night while suffering a 68-58 loss at Illinois Springfield in Great Lakes Valley Conference play.
 
Records: UMSL (7-7, 1-4 GLVC), Illinois Springfield (5-7, 2-2 GLVC)
 
How it Happened
UIS closed the first half on an 11-0 run, while UMSL went scoreless over the final 6:04, to take a 15-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
 
The Prairie Stars pushed the lead to double figures at 22-12 midway through the second quarter before taking a 28-16 advantage. However, UMSL closed the first half with a 9-0 run, coming on three straight three-pointers, including two from redshirt junior Laura Szorenyi, to pull within 28-25 at the break.
 
The Prairie Stars then opened the third quarter with eight unanswered as UMSL didn't get on the board until a field goal from sophomore Alex LaPorta with 5:08 on the clock. UIS took a 43-33 lead into the final 10 minutes.
 
The home team took their largest lead of 56-41 with 2:25 to play before UMSL got within six at 62-56 nearly two minutes later on a lay in by LaPorta. UIS helped seal the game by going 12-of-12 at the free throw line in the final two minutes.
 
Inside the Box Score

• LaPorta snagged her seventh double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while also dishing out five assists.
• Szorenyi also scored 13 points, 11 of which came in the first half, while freshman Faye Meissner added a season-best 12 points.
• Freshman Kiara Stewart pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds to help UMSL to a 35-34 advantage in that category.
• UMSL outshot the Prairie Stars, connecting at a 39 percent clip to UIS's 37. However, UIS went 24-of-26 at the free-throw line, while the Tritons were 6-of-12.

 
Up Next: UMSL travels to McKendree on Saturday for a 1 p.m. game.