The Flames managed just one field goal the last 6:58 of the game and were outscored 8-3 down the stretch in suffering their first loss of the 2016-17 season, 59-52 to Illinois State Monday night.

UIC trailed by as many as 12 points in the second quarter but chipped away with a 7-0 run to end the half.  The Redbirds extended their advantage to 10 points on one of Taylor Stewart's four three-pointers early in the third quarter, but once again the Flames responded, cutting the lead in half by the end of the period and tying the score early in the fourth when Terri Bender converted a transition layup off a steal.  Later, Catera Etheridge did the same thing to bring UIC within two, but that would be the last field goal the Flames would score.

Melita Emanuel-Carr led UIC with 13 points and Catera Etheridge added 10.  Teodora Zagorac experienced foul trouble, racking up four personals before the eight minute mark of the third quarter, but still grabbed a game high 10 rebounds.  Illinois State's Stewart led all scorers with 19, and Brechelle Beachum had 15.

Illinois State did enough damage from downtown to keep the Flames at bay most of the night.  The Redbirds made eight of 26 three point attempts, while UIC was just 2-for-14, with the first make not coming until the fourth quarter was underway.

The game was a physical affair from the start.  The teams combined for nine total fouls and nine turnovers in the first quarter as both squads disrupted passing lanes and knocked cutters off their paths.  There were four held balls in the first half and the Flames drew four charges.  UIC grabbed 10 steals but turned the ball over 21 times for the game.

Neither team led by more than three points in the first quarter.  Illinois State found their stroke from long distance, making three three-pointers during a 15-4 run that extended their lead to the largest of the first half, 33-21.  The Redbirds finished the half 5-13 from deep, while the Flames missed all five of their three point attempts.

The Redbirds put together an 8-0 run early in the second quarter to claim a nine point lead, but both teams went cold in the middle stages of the stanza.  Illinois State shot one for five while UIC made just one of seven field goals in that stretch.  Late in the period, however, the Flames found the bottom of the net.  Melita Emanuel-Carr scored her team high eighth point, and Gabryelle Johnson converted a fast break layup to spark a 7-0 run to end the half and UIC trailed by just five.

While the game became rugged at times on both ends of the floor – both teams attempted 59 field goals with Illinois State converting just 20 and the Flames 19 – UIC had opportunities at the foul line to change the outcome.  However, they missed five of six free throws in the fourth quarter and shot 48% from the stripe on the evening.

UIC will return to action Thursday evening when the season-opening home stand continues against Robert Morris.