UIS boxscore in PDF

The Maryville men's basketball team opened the second half with a 21-3 run to beat Illinois Springfield 76-50 Sunday afternoon in Great Lakes Valley Conference action. The Saints have opened league play 2-0 for the first time since joining the conference.
 
The Saints quickly grabbed the lead and were up 7-5 before embarking on a 14-1 run. Max Mischkulnig rained in a 3-pointer and layup to ignite the run. After UIS hit one free throw, Forrester Sims splashed in a 3-pointer before Armon Provo drilled back-to-back treys for a 21-6 lead seven minutes into the game. Maryville's lead stood at 11 before adding a 9-2 burst. Jeff Leeson scored on a layup, and Trae Pemberton hit a shot in traffic. UIS made a basket until Damyan Stoyanov sank a 3-pointer, and Vassil Stoimenov added a layup for a 32-14 edge. The Prairie Stars made a run to close the first half as the Saints settled for a 39-31 lead at the break.
 
The Saints blitzed UIS to start the second half and take control of the tilt. Pemberton drilled a corner trey, and Mischkulnig added a layup. Evan Booker completed a three-point play before UIS finally scored its first points of the second half. However, Booker sank a 3-pointer then took a pass on the right wing and threw down a ferocious dunk and followed with another 3-pointer to slow the Prairie Starts. Provo hit a triple, and Sims' layup pushed the Saints to a 60-34 lead. UIS eventually got as close as 65-50 with five minutes to play but the Saints defense did not allow another point the rest of the way as Maryville improved to 7-4 overall.
 
Booker hit three 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 14 points. The freshman was tremendous on the defensive end and blocked five shots. Mischkulnig added 13 points, while Pemberton pitched in 10 points. Saikou Jallow handed out eight assists and allow grabbed a team-high six rebounds. The Saints shot 55.6 percent in the game while holding UIS (6-4, 0-2 GLVC) to just a 30.5 field goal percentage.
 
The Saints hit the road for two games this week at Wisconsin-Parkside and Lewis.