UIC rained down long distance shots on Virginia Friday evening.

Unfortunately, one of the ACC's best defensive teams took away most of the Flames' other weapons en route to a 76-39 win at John Paul Jones Arena.

The Flames (2-7) made a season high six shots from behind the arc and scorched the nets early.  Melita Emanuel-Carr made two triples including a four point play in the first quarter as UIC kept within arm's reach of the Cavaliers (7-2).  Brittany Byrd made 3 of 6 three pointers and had 13 points in the first half.  Her trey 90 seconds into the second quarter pulled UIC within a bucket, 21-19, as the Flames complemented their outside shooting with aggressive drives to the rim.

Virginia tightened the screws shortly after and went on a 9-0 run.  Aliyah Huland El scored five of her 14 points in that span.  Her total was two behind her team's co-high scorers, Breyana Mason and Felicia Aiyeotan.  The latter, a 6'9" forward, also had four blocks and helped limit UIC to 12 points in the paint – an area where Virginia scored 36.

UIC was 6-of-11 (55%) from long distance in the first half, and chipped away at a 15 point halftime deficit with a mini run that forced the Cavaliers to call timeout.  Whatever head coach Joanne Boyle said to her troops in that huddle was transformative.  Virginia hit two threes of its own in quick succession and went on a 14-0 run to close out the third quarter, limiting UIC to a season low four points in the period.  The run extended to 22 unanswered before a Terri Bender basket stopped the bleeding.

Bender, playing in her 100^th game at UIC, had four points and three assists.  Byrd, seeing action for just the second time this season, had a game high 17 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.

The Flames shot just 22% inside the arc, 16% in the second half when Virginia sent wave after wave of pressure any time the ball entered the paint.  UIC's defense was successful against Lauren Moses, who is the Cavaliers' season leader in points and rebounds.  She managed just 8 points, 6 below her season average, and a season low 2 rebounds in the contest.

Gabryelle Johnson led UIC with 6 rebounds, a new career high.  Melita Emanuel-Carr contributed energy all night with 7 points and 3 steals.  Virginia was just too efficient over the course of the game, however, as they shot 53% and had 30 points off turnovers.

The Flames will continue their mid-Atlantic road trip with a game at Howard Monday afternoon at 1 pm.