UIC (3-11, 0-3 HL) opened the home portion of its Horizon League schedule with an 88-65 loss to Milwaukee (10-4, 2-1 HL) Thursday evening at UIC Pavilion.

For 15 minutes, UIC showed hustle, made their shots, and went toe to toe with the Panthers, who were the preseason pick to finish third in the Horizon League.  But then the Flames' aggression translated to fouls and Milwaukee capitalized at the free throw line, putting together a run that gave them the breathing room they would need to keep UIC from challenging again.

The tone was set from the first possession of the game, when Taylor Toney blocked a Panther shot and Tyra Carlsten-Handberg grabbed a steal on Milwaukee's first two trips down the court.  Melita Emanuel-Carr had five of the Flames' first nine points on her way to a season high 16.  The Flames played from ahead most of the first quarter, and when Milwaukee took the lead twice late in the period, Brittany Byrd immediately responded with a three point play and a three pointer to put UIC back on top.

Milwaukee took control as the second quarter started and built a three point lead, until Tyra Carlsten-Handberg entered the game.  She immediately catapulted UIC into the lead with back to back rebounds leading to a three pointer by Byrd and an Emanuel-Carr layup to make it 28-26.  Later, she blocked a shot and UIC capitalized with another Byrd triple.

From that moment on, the momentum shifted to Milwaukee.  The Panthers went on a 12-0 run with half of those points coming from the free throw line.  UWM was a perfect 9-9 from the free throw line in the first half.  The Flames were whistled for nine fouls in the second quarter; the Panthers just one.

Byrd led UIC for the fourth time in the last six games with 18 points, a career high.  UIC's hustle didn't wane in the second half as the team finished with a conference high 15 steals and 7 blocks.  Toney and Carlsten-Handberg had career highs with three thefts apiece.

The Flames broke the 40% barrier in shooting percentage for the second straight game after struggling to hit that mark in the second half of non-conference play.  They made a season high nine three pointers led by Byrd's four-of-six display from downtown.

Sierra Ford-Washington led the visitors with 19 points.  Steph Kostowicz had 18 and 9 rebounds, and Jenny Lindner added 15 points and 8 boards.

Desiree Jackson got her first career start.  It was the sixth different starting lineup used this season by Regina Miller.  She contributed to the Flames' fast start with a rebound and a block in the early going, and played a career high 25 minutes.

The schedule will not get easier for UIC.  After a short turnaround, they will host league-leading and unanimous Mid-Major #1 Green Bay Saturday at 3:00 pm.