UIC fell to Santa Clara, 45-36 Saturday afternoon, in a game in which neither team cracked 30% shooting.  Trailing for most of the game, UIC (2-2) rallied to pull within two points in the fourth quarter.  But Santa Clara (2-3) responded with key three pointers and never gave up the lead.

Gabryelle Johnson, Teodora Zagorac, and Brittany Byrd each had eight points for the Flames.

First Half Highlights

• Defense was the calling card for both teams throughout the first half.  The squads combined to start the game making just two of 16 shots.  The combined shooting percentage through the first half was just a tick over 20% (10-49).
• Defense did initiate some scoring for the Flames.  Brittany Byrd extended her man-to-man pressure which led to a steal and a runout for Byrd, who was fouled on the fast break and made both free throws.
• In the second quarter, Tylah Lampley altered a Santa Clara pass and started a fast break.  She received the lead pass and converted a layup, ending a 12:19 drought between baskets.
• Gabryelle Johnson was the recipient of a kick-out pass in transition.  She confidently swished a three pointer late in the half.  On the next possession, Teodora Zagorac added a triple of her own to pull the Flames to within six points at the break.

Second Half Highlights

• The Flames got off to a fast start in the third quarter.  Zagorac made a layup to begin the period, and after fighting for several successive offensive rebounds, Johnson laid one in to cut the deficit to two.
• Catera Etheridge missed a three pointer but followed her shot to snag the rebound and make a short jumper to bring the Flames within five with 4:06 to go in the third.  Santa Clara would go on a 5-0 run, but Zagorac's second three pointer ended the run, and when Brittany Byrd made a driving layup with five seconds left, UIC was back within five entering the fourth quarter.
• Byrd continued to be aggressive in the fourth quarter.  She drove the baseline for a layup on consecutive possessions to make it a 35-33 game with over six minutes to play.
• The Broncos made the game's next two shots, both from long distance, to give themselves an eight point cushion.  Though Taylor Toney made a three with 47 seconds to go, the Flames would not score again.  Morgan McGwire made four free throws in the final 30 seconds to account for the final margin.

Facts and Figures

• The 45 points allowed were the fewest by a UIC opponent since Dec. 17, 2015, when the Flames beat Denver 56-46.
• On the flip side, UIC had not scored as few as 36 points since putting up just 31 in a loss to Green Bay on Feb. 20 of last season.
• The Flames went just three players deep into their bench, a season low.
• Kara Wilson scored the first point of her collegiate career on a third quarter free throw.  She played a season high 10 minutes today after two DNP's.
• Johnson took a charge just outside the paint in the third quarter, extending her streak of drawing at least one offensive foul in each game of the season.
• Toney, in foul trouble most of the second half, had just three points.  It was her lowest output since she was a part time player her freshman year.
• At times unable to penetrate the Santa Clara zone defense, the Flames got to the free throw line a season low seven times.
• The Broncos made 17 of 20 free throws, marking opponent season highs in efficiency and total output from the stripe.

Up Next

• The Flames will conclude their brief two game homestand on Thursday, November 30.
• Indiana State will visit the UIC Pavilion for a 7:00 pm contest.
• It will be the Flames' first night game of the season.

Highlights