March 15, 2007

Kansas City, Mo. - Senior guard Eddie Smith poured in a career-high 40 points to lead the University of Illinois at Springfield to a 104-89 victory against Lambuth University (Tenn.) Wednesday in first-round play at the 2007 Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship at Municipal Auditorium.

 

Smith, who scored 27 of his 40 points in the second half, was 11-of-20 from the field and 16-of-19 from the free throw line to help Illinois-Springfield record its first-ever NAIA Tournament victory. He also added a team-best 11 rebounds along with four assists and four steals. The Prairie Stars stretched their win streak to 11 games to improve to 23-8 on the year. Illinois-Springfield, the No. 15 seed, will meet No. 2 Oklahoma City University in a second-round contest Friday at 4:30 p.m. CDT.

 

The Prairie Stars grabbed the lead late in the first half and pulled out to a 44-30 lead at the intermission. Lambuth cut the deficit to 65-60 on a basket by junior forward Steve Gray with 7:50 to play. Illinois-Springfield answered by scoring the next seven points to regain 12-point advantage, and the Prairie Stars were able to hold off a late charge by the Eagles in the closing minutes.

 

Senior guard Cory Farmer added 27 points for Illinois-Springfield, including a 15-of-22 effort from the free throw line. As a team, the Prairie Stars went 36-of-54 from the foul line, and both teams combined for 84 free throw attempts.

 

Junior forward Kierren Lovick led Lambuth with 22 points and 13 rebounds, while junior guard Jeremy Weddle connected for 16 points. The Eagles end their 2006-07 season with an overall record of 25-8.