Timely three pointers sparked key first half runs for Cleveland State, and the Vikings kept UIC at bay throughout the second half of a 77-59 win in the Wolstein Center Saturday afternoon.

Brittany Byrd got her first start of the season.  She responded with her first career double-double (16 points, 11 rebounds), shaking off her three point performance in the Flames' last game.  Byrd became a one-woman show for UIC in the middle of the third quarter.  She made three straight layups on a dazzling variety of moves and contributed an assist and a steal in the span.  Soon after, she grabbed an offensive rebound to secure the double-double.

Her efforts, however, couldn't help the Flames overcome the Vikings' big lead throughout the second half.

After a Cleveland State spurt to begin the game, UIC did some damage inside to close the gap.  Brittany Byrd and Taylor Toney had back to back layups, then Teodora Zagorac drew a foul after grabbing an offensive rebound and added a free throw.  The Flames were within four until Ashanti Abshaw made a three pointer, and the Vikings built a nine point lead early in the second quarter.

Then UIC's bigs gave the team a spark.  Zagorac and Tyra Carlsten-Handberg made layups, then Carlsten-Handberg found Byrd underneath for a bucket that closed the gap to five points, 28-23.  On Cleveland State's next possession, Jade Ely made a three pointer that turned the tide.  Her basket ignited a 16-0 run to end the half, capped when Ely made a steal at halfcourt, got fouled on her drive to the bucket, and converted both free throws to put the Vikings up 44-23 at the break.

UIC committed five turnovers during that run, giving them 10 for the first half.  Cleveland State scored 17 points off those giveaways, while committing just one first half turnover of their own.
Three Vikings had 11 points apiece in the first 20 minutes.  Four finished in double figures, led by Khayla Livingston's 19.  Abshaw had a double-double of her own (16 points, 10 rebounds).

Taylor Toney had 10 points and seven rebounds before fouling out.  Tyra Carlsten-Handberg had nine points and Melita Emanuel-Carr was right behind her with eight.  Terri Bender filled out the stat sheet, logging six points, five rebounds, three assists, and four steals.  Those three assists left her one shy of third place on UIC's all-time list, a mark she can surpass in her hometown Tuesday evening when the Flames take on Milwaukee.

Following the contest with the Panthers Tuesday, UIC will return home for five straight games through the first week of February.