The Blackburn College Men's Basketball Team lost the war in the paint 36-20, and that led to the University of Illinois at Springfield taking a 90-74 non-conference victory on Tuesday night in Springfield.  Blackburn falls to 2-2 on the season while UIS moves to 3-2.

Blackburn played neck and neck in the first half with the division II Prairie Stars, leading the bigger opponent for seven minutes of play in the first half.  With the Beavers down by just two with 1:46 to go in the half, UIS scored the final five points to claim a 39-32 halftime edge.

UIS jumped out to a twelve-point lead in the second half before the Beavers closed to within seven at the 8:39 mark.  Blackburn could not close the gap any further and the Prairie Stars with extra opportunities in the paint took control the rest of the way.

For Blackburn, DeAndre Manuel had 19 points and ten rebounds to lead the Beavers in both categories.  Chris Davis and Willie Orange joined Manuel in double figures with 17 and 16 points respectively.  UIS claimed a 36-27 advantage in rebounding and shot 56 percent for the game. The Beavers shot 47 percent on the night but UIS made 11 three-pointers to the Beavers four.

"I told our guys we have to limit second chances and offensive rebounds to stay with them, but their runs were due to those extra chances," said Blackburn Head Coach Steve Koller.  "We played hard and well at times against a division II opponent but we need to play off of each better," added Koller.

Blackburn returns to action over Thanksgiving Weekend in Lincoln, Nebraska at Nebraska Wesleyan University.