The UIC Flames (1-0) bounced back from a slow first half and outscored Bethel (1-3) 24-7 in the third quarter en route to a 66-46 win on Opening Day at UIC Pavilion.

Taylor Toney had a game high 22 points.  Gabryelle Johnson had 11 rebounds.  Teodora Zagorac scored the first six points of the second half as UIC had to rally from a one-point deficit.

First Half Highlights

• Both teams started the game shooting as cold as the weather that brought the season's first snowfall to Chicago Friday morning.  Over the first five minutes, they combined to make just one of 12 shots.
• Abreanna Lake provided a spark off the bench.  She made a three-pointer and assisted on two Taylor Toney baskets as the Flames turned a one point deficit into a six point lead.
• Another freshman, Tia Tedford, ignited some offense in the second quarter.  She picked a Pilot's pocket and went coast to coast, using a nice pass fake to create an open layup.  Later, she found open space inside the arc for a pullup jumper.
• After that shot by Tedford, Bethel went on a 7-0 run to go ahead by two points.  Jessica Erwin was responsible for four of those points.
• Overaggression on the Flames' part helped keep the game close as the first half wound down.  UIC committed seven fouls in the second quarter, and the Pilots made six of seven free throws.

Second Half Highlights

• Teodora Zagorac scored six points in the first 100 seconds of the third quarter, corralling two offensive rebounds in the span.  Catera Etheridge added a three pointer, and Tylah Lampley's layup capped a 13-2 run that put the Flames up by 10.
• Tylah Lampley's athleticism helped the Flames extend their lead.  She softly put a one-handed runner through the net, and immediately after Bethel missed their next shot, she drove all the way to the rim to make it 46-31.  
• The Flames would lead by as many as 20 before the Pilots went on an 8-2 run midway through the fourth quarter.  Taylor Toney put a stop to that spurt with a steal that she turned into a layup.  On the next possession, she used a screen beautifully to get an easy bank shot.
• Lampley and Deja Anderson-Fitzell clamped down on Bethel's late-game efforts, altering shots and disrupting passing lanes as the Flames built their lead back up to the final margin of 20.

Facts and Figures

• Toney was the game's leading scorer.  Bethel placed two players in double digits, but no other Flame had more than nine points.
• UIC shot 54% in the second half.  They held the Pilots to just 1-for-12 in the third quarter, and 28% for the game.
• The Flames had a 1:1 assist to turnover ratio.  Lake dropped five assists and had just one turnover.  The Pilots assisted on 10 baskets and turned the ball over 23 times.
• Brittany Byrd did not score until the 6:53 mark of the fourth quarter.  She totaled seven points in the late goings.
• Jada Nneji had four rebounds, three on the offensive glass, in eight minutes of action.  Kienya Jones was even more efficient on the boards, getting two rebounds in just one minute of court time.
• Zagorac made all four of her shots.  Including the exhibition game last week, she has not missed a field goal this year.
• Toney, Catera Etheridge, and Lake each had a three-pointer.

Up Next

• The Flames will return to action Thursday, November 16.
• Jackson State will visit the UIC Pavilion for a 4:00 pm tipoff.

Video Highlights

• Taylor Toney postgame reaction
  
• 3^rd quarter run