Behind a career high 29 points from
Brittany Byrd, and 22 points from
Taylor Toney, UIC (6-3) defeated Evansville (3-7) 96-77 Saturday afternoon at Flames Athletic Center. The Flames shot a blistering 51.5% from the floor and 50% from three point distance. The team's sixth win of the season equals their total from the 2016-17 campaign.
First Half Highlights
- Teodora Zagorac got things started for the Flames with a steal in Evansville's backcourt, which led to a Brittany Byrd three-pointer. That sparked the Flames on a 17-3 run to open the game. Byrd figured prominently in that run, making all five of her field goals including three 3's.
- Evansville ended the quarter on a 6-3 run over the final 57 seconds, and carried that momentum into the second quarter which they began on a 10-4 run. Two three-pointers during that run brought the Purple Aces to within five points before a UIC timeout, and another triple when action resumes made it a two point game.
- Tia Tedford made sure Evansville would get no closer. She made a tough layup through contact to give UIC some breathing room. On Evansville's next trip down the court, Gabryelle Johnson snagged the rebound and made an outlet pass to Byrd, whose bucket off a nice drive forced Evansville to call timeout.
- Tedford banked in a three pointer late in the shot clock and turned a steal into a coast-to-coast layup later in the quarter. Taylor Toney put her imprint on the game with two steals that led directly to UIC baskets, a three point play of her own, and back to back buckets that pushed the Flames' lead to 14 points.
Second Half Highlights
- Catera Etheridge made two three-pointers in the first four minutes of the third quarter. The second capped a 13-0 run, making the score 62-43.
- In the middle of that run, Byrd established a new career high with her 22nd point on a free throw.
- The Flames made five of eight treys in the third period, outscored Evansville by 10, and took a 20 point lead into the final stanza.
- Down but not out, Evansville valiantly tried to come back in the fourth quarter. They scored the first five points thanks in part to three fouls on UIC, two of which were whistled on Johnson.
- After regrouping during a timeout, the Flames quickly put an end to any hopes of a comeback. They rattled off the game's next 10 points with contributions from Johnson in the paint, Byrd from the three point arc, and Toney on a three point play.
- The Purple Aces made a couple of threes down the stretch, but bench scoring from Desiree Jackson and Tylah Lampley kept the Flames' advantage above 20 points until the very end of the game.
Facts and Figures
- Byrd's 29 points were eight more than her previous career high. She made 10-of-13 shots overall, 6-of-8 from three point distance, and all three of her free throws.
- Taylor Toney finished with 22 points and Johnson added 12.
- The Flames won the rebounding battle 39-22 and had a 21-4 edge in second chance points. Toney and Zagorac shared game high honors with nine rebounds each.
- With their 96 point tally, the Flames posted their highest total against a Division I opponent since defeating Eastern Michigan 93-91 in the 2014 Women's Basketball Invitational.
- UIC put up 48 points in the first half, marking their highest scoring half of the season. They matched that figure in the second half.
- The Flames made 51.5% of their field goals, their highest percentage of the season and best since last season's Horizon League tournament game against Northern Kentucky.
- With their third straight win, UIC is on its longest winning streak in two years. They have won four in a row at home for the first time in over two years.
- The Flames finished 5-0 against non-conference opponents from Indiana and stopped a five game Evansville winning streak in the series.
Up Next
- The final non-conference home game of the season will take place Monday evening.
- North Texas will visit UIC Pavilion for a 7:00 pm contest that marks the end of UIC's four game homestand.
Postgame Reaction
