UIC (2-1) got career scoring highs from Brittany Byrd and Taylor Toney, who combined for 47 points and 17 rebounds, in a 67-51 win over Fort Wayne (1-4) Tuesday morning.

The Flames never trailed in the contest and used a focused defensive effort to keep the Mastodons from mounting a serious comeback in the second half.

First Half Highlights

• Gabryelle Johnson set the tone from the opening possession.  She drew a charge out of the gate, and minutes later turned an offensive rebound into a layup to give the Flames a 4-0 lead.
• Brittany Byrd converted a three-point play to make the score 9-4.  Following a timeout, Fort Wayne pieced together an extended possession thanks to five offensive rebounds.  Johnson ended the possession by drawing another charge, and Taylor Toney made an easy layup on an out of bounds set to make it 11-4.
• The Flames' defense stifled Fort Wayne down the stretch in the first quarter.  They forced a shot clock violation, ignited a fast break, blocked a shot, and had another steal in the final minutes.
• Consecutive three pointers by Byrd and Catera Etheridge gave the Flames a 23-17 lead at the 6:23 mark of the second quarter.  Byrd made another jumper the next time down the court and the Flames had their largest lead of the first half at 25-17.
• Byrd's shot would be the last field goal of the half for UIC.  Both teams went cold and failed to make a shot for the last 4:50.
• Free throws from Toney staked UIC to a 27-24 halftime lead. 

Second Half Highlights

• Tylah Lampley gave the Flames some instant offense when she checked in after Teodora Zagorac picked up two quick fouls at the beginning of the third quarter.  Lampley went coast to coast and hit a driving layup, and on the next Mastodon miss, ran out for a long pass and an uncontested layup.
• Fort Wayne got into foul trouble via a couple of offensive fouls, and the Flames got aggressive to take advantage.  UIC made six of eight free throws in the third quarter and led by as many as 10 points.
• The Mastodons went on a quick 4-0 run to start the fourth quarter and get within six points.  Brittany Byrd personally put a stop to their hopes of a comeback by getting to the free throw line twice in a row and made three of four foul shots.
• Byrd added a three pointer, putting the Flames back up by 10.  She scored the team's first nine points of the fourth quarter.
• Taylor Toney converted back-to-back three point plays to make the score 64-47 with three minutes to play.  Fort Wayne would get no closer than 13 points down the stretch.

Facts and Figures

• Though the Flames shot a season-low 35%, they attempted 60 shots to Fort Wayne's 47.
• UIC held the Mastodons to a .383 shooting percentage.
• The Flames capitalized on their opportunities from the charity stripe, making 22 of 30 (73%) of their chances there.  That was by far a season high for the team.
• Taylor Toney had a career high 26 points, which also was a high for any Flame this season.  She was perfect (12-12) at the free throw line.
• Brittany Byrd also turned in a career high, finishing with 21 points.
• The Flames got only six points from the bench players, all courtesy of Tylah Lampley.
• UIC racked up a 23-8 advantage in points off turnovers.
• In avenging last season's home loss to Fort Wayne, the Flames snapped a nine game road losing streak.  They won the first road game of the season for the second time in the last three years, and started 2-1 or better in the first three games for the fifth time in Regina Miller's seven seasons.

Up Next

• The Flames return home for a post-Thanksgiving matinee.
• UIC will host Santa Clara Saturday at 1:00 pm.
• It will be the first ever meeting between the two programs.