DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle women's basketball team suffered just its second defeat of the 2017-18 season on Monday morning, falling to Illinois Springfield by a score of 72-54. With the win, UIS improves to 8-1, while the Eagles drop to 8-2 on the season. The game tipped off at 11 a.m. as the first of back-to-back Education Day games, with a number of Volusia County elementary schools in attendance at the ICI Center.
 
The Eagles led briefly in the first quarter after Ashley McWilliams knocked down a three and made a layup on the next possession, giving ERAU a 5-3 advantage just over a minute into the game. The Prairie Stars answered back and eventually built a lead as large as six (13-7) after scoring eight straight points. After a quarter, the Eagles found themselves trailing by just three points at 15-12.
 
UIS scored the first five points of the second period and by the midway point of the quarter they had extended the margin to double-digits for the first time, leading 28-18. The Prairie Stars advantage grew to 41-27 by halftime.
 
After Tara Fields opened the second half with a layup, Illinois Springfield went on a 13-0 spurt that gave the visitors a commanding 54-29 lead with 5:31 to play in the third quarter. The Blue and Gold trimmed the margin to 18 with 2:12 left in the period but still trailed by 20 heading to the fourth quarter.
 
Both offenses went cold in the final period, with UIS outscoring Embry-Riddle 11-9 in the quarter to hold on for a 72-54 win.
 
Tara Fields led the Eagles with 14 points while Sabrina Whiting tallied 12 points on an efficient 4-of-5 shooting from the field, along with 4-of-4 from the free throw line. Lauren Ellenberger added eight points and a game-high four assists.
 
The Eagles will be right back at it tomorrow when they host St. Edward's University in the second Education Day game. Tip-off is slated for 11 a.m. at the ICI Center.