Illinois Springfield boxscore in PDF

Springfield, Ill. - The Maryville women's basketball team scored the final six points of the game to rally for a thrilling 68-64 win at Illinois Springfield in its fifth straight win. The victory is also the fifth straight for the Saints on the road, the first time they have done that since joining the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

UIS rallied to take a 64-62 with 2:15 to play. Stephanie Sherwood scored on a layup to tie the game. Ali Ringering drove the lane and fed Wolf on the left side for a hoop as the Saints answered to take a 66-64 advantage with 1:15 remaining. The Saints made a defensive stop and ran the clock down. Maryville put up a shot but Ringering grabbed the offensive rebound and sank two at the line for a four-point lead. The Prairie Stars and two late 3-pointers but both misfired as the Saints held on for the victory.

In the first quarter, the Saints were down 11-8 but used an 11-0 run to jump ahead. Kayla Steward ignited the run with a 3-pointer, and Sherwood followed with a triple to push the Saints ahead 14-11. Ringering converted a layup, and Sherwood drilled another from deep for a 19-11 advantage. Maryville led 21-15 after one. UIS scored two straight baskets but the Saints still led 27-22. Ringering hit two free throws, and Sherwood tallied two straight hoops as Maryville took its biggest lead of the day with a 33-22 edge. The Prairie Stars cut the Saints lead down to 34-29 by halftime.

UIS cut the Maryville lead down to two before Amanda Ponce sank a 3-pointer. The Prairie Stars scored another basket before Wolf scored a layup and Sherwood stuck a jumper for a 41-34 lead. The Prairie Stars hung close as the Saints settled for a 49-47 lead after three quarters. The game was tied at 49-49 but Ringering and Wolf scored to boost the Saints up to 53-49. The game stayed close until the final dramatic scores for the Saints to emerge with the road win.

Sherwood paced the Saints with 17 points and added five rebounds. Wolf had 14 points and a team-high seven boards, while Ringering finished with 13 points and seven assists. UIS put four players in double figures. The Saints took care of the ball and only committed seven turnovers.

With their fifth straight win, the Saints improve 11-9 overall, 7-6 in the GLVC. The Prairie Stars stand at 8-13 overall, 2-11 in the league. Maryville returns home for its next game Thursday, Feb. 9, against Bellarmine.