SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Host Illinois-Springfield defeated Lake Superior State 68-54 during Friday's first round of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference vs. Great Lakes Valley Conference women's basketball crossover tournament.

Kandace Crittendon led LSSU (0-3) with 18 points and eight rebounds, and Laura VanEs followed with 12 points and four rebounds.

Megan Bergerud led three UIS double-figure scorers with 20 points and five assists. Alyssa Palmer had 18 points and five assists, followed by Cassie Wolfe with 10 points. Elizabeth Kelly was scoreless but led all rebounders with 10.

The Prairie Stars (1-2) shot 35.3 percent (6-of-17) from three-point range, while LSSU was 1-for-10. They also out-rebounded the Lakers, 38-27.

UIS led 35-26 at halftime. Crittendon made a layup at 15:24 of the second half to cap off an 8-0 Laker run and cut the lead to 35-34. Megan Manninen hit a three-pointer at 8:24 to tie it, 43-43. A VanEs layup evened the score, 45-45, but the Prairie Stars responded with seven unanswered points during a two-minute stretch. They extended the lead to 10 points, 61-51, with 2:28 to go.

LSSU plays McKendree at 2 p.m. EST Saturday. Earlier Friday, McKendree edged Hillsdale in overtime, 77-74.

UIS-LSSU Boxscore