UIC (3-9, 0-1 HL) opened Horizon League play by matching Oakland (7-5, 1-0) hustle play for hustle play on both ends of the court.  Like their last game, however, the Flames couldn't match their opponent's effectiveness at making shots, and dropped an 81-58 decision in the O'rena Thursday afternoon.

The two top offensive rebounding teams in the Horizon League played to a standstill, with UIC edging Oakland 15-14 on the offensive glass.  Oakland's strengths in steals and turnover margin, both of which registered in the top 10 in the country heading into Thursday's game, were also mitigated.  Turnovers were even at 16 apiece and the Grizzlies had just one more steal than the Flames, 9-8.

UIC shot over 43% in the second half and made six three-pointers in the ballgame, just one off their season high.  Both teams took 71 shots, and Oakland's edge in shooting made the difference.  The Golden Grizzlies made 31 shots (43%), while UIC found the net on just 32% of their shots on the afternoon.

The first quarter was bookended by UIC three point scores.  The scoring started with Gabryelle Johnson's first triple of the season, and in the final minute Terri Bender converted a three point play off a driving lay-in.  In between, Oakland put together an 11-2 run which put them in control.

UIC's bad luck continued early in the second quarter as they got good looks on several shots but just couldn't convert.  Later in the period, Brittany Byrd gave the Flames a boost with a three point play opportunity and an assist on a fast break bucket.  She scored a team high 15 points, her fourth straight game in double figures.

Melita Emanuel-Carr opened the third quarter with a three pointer.  She bounced back from a two point performance last game with 13 points, and had a career high-tying five steals.  Catera Etheridge was the spark in the fourth quarter when she followed up a three-pointer immediately with a three point play.  She had 12 points as UIC had at least three players in double digits for the third straight game.

Johnson had 11 rebounds, marking her second straight game with double figures on the glass after not achieving that feat the season's first 10 games.

Taylor Jones scored 22 points for the home team.  Hannah Little had 12 rebounds before fouling out.  Nicole Dodd made four of her five three point attempts after making south of 30% of her threes entering the ballgame.

Terri Bender made the third quarter her personal highlight reel.  She fed Gabryelle Johnson for a layup after a textbook post-up, and slipped a sweet pass between defenders for a Taylor Toney bucket.  In between, she hustled the length of the floor to block an Oakland attempt.

The Flames will return to action with a New Year's Eve tilt at Detroit Mercy.  The final game of 2016 will tip at noon and can be seen on ESPN3.