UIC ended its first road trip of 2016-17 by dropping a 77-55 decision to Central Michigan Saturday afternoon.  Though the Flames went toe to toe with the preseason MAC West favorites through nearly three quarters, the Chippewas took control with a strong performance to end the third and open the fourth.

Catera Etheridge stuck a jumper out of a timeout, and Terri Bender followed with a 10-footer off an out of bounds set to pull UIC within four points at 39-35 with under five minutes to play in the third.  But Central Michigan extended their lead and after a buzzer beater to end the period had claimed a 51-41 advantage.

The Chippewa onslaught continued when the fourth quarter began.  A 16-2 run punctuated by back-to-back Cassie Breen three-pointers gave Central Michigan all the cushion they would need.
UIC shot 48% in the first half and started the third quarter on the same trajectory, making 4 of 10 field goals through Bender's basket.  But they would make only six of their last 29 shots to end the game at 34% from the floor.

UIC outrebounded the Chippewas 41-35, thanks to 8 boards apiece from Gabryelle Johnson, Taylor Toney, and Tyra Carlsten-Handberg.  Toney made her second straight start and had 11 points, but had to sit much of the second half with foul trouble.  Emanuel-Carr led UIC with 15 points and Catera Etheridge was right behind her with 14.  Presley Hudson and Cassie Breen each had 18 for Central Michigan.  Breen was 5-for-8 from behind the arc.

The Flames trailed 6-0 to start the game before Melita Emanuel-Carr made a 3 and then took a steal in for a layup.  Johnson's driving layup gave UIC their first lead at 9-8.

Central Michigan didn't make their first three-pointer until 1:40 remained in the first quarter and shot just 1-for-7 from downtown in the opening frame.  Though the Flames had much better ball security than they did Thursday evening in Toledo, Central Michigan was able to capitalize when UIC did turn the ball over with 28 points off of miscues.

CMU opened the second quarter on an 8-0 run, including two threes, over a stretch in which UIC committed six turnovers.  The Flames righted the ship later in the quarter with an Emanuel-Carr three and Terri Bender's first bucket, and ended the half on a 4-0 run to trail 31-27 at halftime.

Bender had one of her four assists, finding Taylor Toney wide open for a layup, to cut the deficit to just two points early in the third quarter.  Jewel Cotton (14 points, 7-10 from the floor) then went on a personal 6-0 run to give the Chippewas a little breathing room before UIC's mini-run to make it 39-35.

The Flames will get a week off for final exams before returning to action next Saturday.  They will host Fort Wayne in the Flames Athletic Center at 3 pm.