Illinois Springfield Recap
Daniel Farris scored with 3.9 seconds left to boost the Maryville University men's basketball team to a thrilling 61-60 victory at Illinois Springfield Saturday afternoon. Down 60-57, Farris scored on a jumper with 39 seconds remaining to bring the Saints to within one. The Maryville defense forced a shot clock violation to get the ball back with 11.0 ticks to go. After a foul, the Saints inbounded the ball to Donovan Parker at the top of the key. Ferris made a cut down the left side, collected the pass from Parker, and his shot was ruled a basket due to a UIS goaltend with 3.9 seconds left to play. The Prairie Stars pushed the ball to the right side but a desperation 3-pointer was off the mark as the Saints held on for the thrilling victory.
 
What Happened
The Saints roared out of the gate and quickly grabbed a 7-1 lead. Daniel Farris scored on a layup and later completed a three-point play. Jaelon Hood scored as the Saints went up by six points. UIS closed the gap to 9-6 before Maryville embarked on a 10-0 burst. Ari Jackson had a three-point play, and Gary Pendleton scored inside. Owen Long knocked down a jumper, and Jackson's triple pushed the Saints ahead 19-6 at the 12:28 mark. Jackson, who hit his first four shots, sank another 3-pointer for a 22-11 edge. A 6-0 run put Maryville up 31-17 before the Saints settled for a seven-point margin at halftime. Maryville's defense forced UIS to shoot just 28.6 percent (8-of-28) from the field.
 
UIS closed to 35-30 early in the second before Long scored four straight points. Later, a 3-pointer by Long pushed the Saints back up to a double-digit lead at 42-32 with 12 minutes remaining. The Prairie Stars again trimmed their deficit to single digits before a 3-pointer by Davis Walker and a layup by Pendleton led to a 49-37 margin. Jackson hit a jumper for a double-digit lead of 57-47 with 6:36 to play. However, the Prairie Stars answered with 11 consecutive points to take their first lead of the day at 58-57 at the 2:11 mark. UIS scored again for a 60-57 lead before the Saints rallied for the dramatic victory.
 
Farris' game winner capped a tremendous all-around day as he had a double-double on 17 points and 11 rebounds to go along with a team-high six assists. Jackson finished with 14 points, while Long notched 11 points. Pendleton missed a double-double as he recorded eight points and 11 boards.
 
Statistical Leaders
Points: Daniel Farris - 17
Rebounds: Daniel Farris and Gary Pendleton - 11
3-Point Field Goals: Ari Jackson - 3
Assists: Daniel Farris - 6
Steals: Davis Walker - 1
Blocked Shots: Owen Long - 1
 
Notable
The GLVC road win is the first for the Saints away from Moloney Arena since beating Indianapolis 79-69 Feb. 14, 2019.
The Saints have already surpassed their conference win total from a year ago.
The last Maryville player with a double-double before Daniel Farris was Jalen Gant who had 17 points and 14 rebounds against Drury Jan. 16, 2020.
The last game the Saints won by exactly one point was a 70-69 triumph at UMSL Jan 18, 2018.
 
Records
Maryville: 2-1, 2-1 GLVC
Illinois Springfield: 1-2, 1-2 GLVC
 
What's Next?
The Saints return home for their next action Saturday, Dec. 12, as Quincy comes to Moloney Arena for a 3:15 contest.