UIC (3-2) used a big third quarter to post a double-digit lead, and kept their poise down the stretch to hold off Indiana State (2-5), 55-46 Thursday night at UIC Pavilion.

Brittany Byrd led all scorers with 17 points, including 3-of-4 shooting from three point land.  Teodora Zagorac posted career highs with 16 rebounds and six assists.

First Half Highlights

• Gabryelle Johnson got off to a hot start, scoring six of the Flames' first 10 points.  She made a nice step-through move to free herself for a layup, and received a well-placed pass from Teodora Zagorac for another lay-in on the next possession to make it 10-2.
• When Kara Wilson beat the shot clock in the final seconds of the first quarter, the Flames had doubled up Indiana State, 12-6.
• The Flames' lead ballooned to 10 for the first time at 16-6 following another nice individual play by Johnson.  She established good position in the paint and pivoted away from the defense for a layup.
• Turnovers were the only thing keeping Indiana State in the game in the first half.  Eight of their first 13 points came off of UIC miscues.  That trend changed, though, in the last five minutes of the first half.  The Flames turned the ball over just once in that span, and the Sycamores coughed it up six times down the stretch.

Second Half Highlights

• Brittany Byrd came out of the locker room hot, swishing two three-pointers in the first 1:40 of the second half.  Johnson rejected a Sycamore shot on their next possession, and made a layup on the other end to give the Flames their largest lead of the game, 28-15.
• Indiana State stemmed the tide, but only temporarily.  They made a three pointer, but Catera Etheridge stole a subsequent inbound pass in perfect position to make a layup.
• UIC's lead got back up to 13 points with three and a half minutes to play.  The Sycamores had one last run, getting to within six points with less than two minutes to go.  Brittany Byrd ended their 7-0 run with a baseline drive and layup.
• The Sycamores made two field goals in the last minute, but could never get a key turnover to make their comeback a success.  UIC was 8-for-10 at the free throw line in the final 54 seconds.

Facts and Figures

• The Flames shot at least 50% in each quarter but the second, and made 41.5% of their shots for the game.  They held Indiana State to 27.9% from the floor, their best defensive effort of the season.
• Teodora Zagorac had 16 rebounds, blowing away her previous career high of 10, as part of UIC's 46-33 edge on the glass.
• Brittany Byrd had a game high 17 points, leading four Flames, all starters, in double figures.  Kara Wilson was the lone bench player to score, and she had a mere two points.  Nine of Byrd's points came in the third quarter as the Flames expanded their five point halftime lead.
• Taylor Toney posted her first double-double of the season, and the fourth of her career, with 12 points and 10 rebounds.  She also handed out a game high five assists.
• The Flames totaled 12 attempts at the free throw line, but did not take their first foul shot until 1:09 remained in the game.
• Byrd was 3-for-4 from the three point arc.  She was the only Flame to make a three, but the team's percentage from deep (.429, 3-7) was their highest of the season.
• On the other end of the court, Indiana State made just three of 18 attempts from long distance.

Up Next

• A short turnaround awaits the Flames, as they will face Bradley Saturday afternoon.
• The intrastate rivalry will heat up starting at 2:00 in Peoria.

Highlights

Postgame Reaction

• Gabryelle Johnson
  
• Brittany Byrd