Box Score SPRINGFIELD, ILL. - The Maryville men's basketball team made a charge to try and claim its first Great Lakes Valley Conference win but Illinois Springfield held on for an 81-68 win Saturday afternoon. Greg Ballard drained five 3-pointers and led the Saints with 17 points, while Eric Hackett hit 7-of-9 shot shots and finished with 16 points.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Trailing early in the first half, the Saints used a 9-2 run to jump ahead. Gabe Clemmons scored inside, and Kobe Clark drained a 3-pointer. Raynard Horry's jumper tied the game before Henry Sanchez scored on a layup for a 20-18 lead. UIS tied it but Sanchez connected from deep for a 23-20 edge. The Prairie Stars went on a 10-2 run before Preston Clark hit a jumper and forced UIS to settle for a 33-28 lead at halftime.
 
The Prairie Stars scored the first eight points of the second half until Greg Ballard sparked the Saints with back-to-back 3-pointers. A Kobe Clark layup made it 46-36 before Maryville went on a push. Cannon Roth had a tree-point play, and Kobe Clark and Ballard scored to chop the deficit to 52-43 with 11 minutes to play. The Saints still were trailing 57-45 before using an 8-3 burst. Kobe Clark converted two at the line, and Eric Hackett drained a 3-pointer. Ballard hit another triple as the Saints closed to 60-53. Maryville stayed close after a Hackett jumper made it 67-59 with six minutes remaining. The Saints stayed within striking range and a Hackett jumper drew the deficit to 75-66 with 1:56 to play. However, the Saints never got any closer as UIS held on with free throws in the final minute.
 
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Points: Greg Ballard - 17
Rebounds: three players - 6
Assists: Kobe Clark - 3
3-Pointers: Greg Ballard - 5
Steals: three players - 1
Blocked Shots: none
 
RECORDS
Maryville: 1-6, 0-2 GLVC
Illinois Springfield: 7-2, 4-0 GLVC
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Saints play their rescheduled game with UMSL Tuesday, Dec. 9, in a 7:30 tip in Moloney Arena.