Gabryelle Johnson had a career high 17 points as part of a double-double, and contributed in all phases of the game, as UIC (7-3) claimed its fourth straight win with a 70-67 triumph over North Texas (7-3).
Brittany Byrd scored 24 points including four free throws in the final 30 seconds. After trailing by as many as 11 points, the Flames increased their defensive intensity after halftime and held North Texas to only 28 points after the break.
It was the fourth straight win for UIC, and their fifth straight at home, extending both streaks to lengths not seen since 2015. They have already surpassed last season's win total.
First Half Highlights
- Brittany Byrd started the game where she left off against Evansville Saturday, by swishing a three pointer off the opening tip. North Texas' full court press gave the Flames temporary problems early, but they solved it with heads up passing up the court resulting in a Byrd layup.
- The Mean Green went on a 7-0 run, but the Flames chipped away at their lead. Taylor Toney received a nice dump pass from Tylah Lampley and converted a layup. Later, Lampley had consecutive baskets to pull the Flames within two points.
- Byrd capped the quarter, and a 10-0 Flames run, by making another three pointer that beat the buzzer and gave UIC a 21-20 lead after 10 minutes.
- A four point play from Terriell Bradley gave North Texas momentum at the beginning of the second quarter. Bradley scored the Mean Green's first nine points of the quarter, and 14 overall in the period.
- Gabryelle Johnson nailed a jumper to tie the score at 27 six minutes before halftime. The Flames would miss their next six shots as North Texas put together a 12-1 run. Bradley and Grace Goodhart, who had five points during the run, accounted for all of the Mean Green scoring in the second quarter.
- Jada Nneji worked free for a layup seconds before halftime to end UIC's drought and make the score at the break 39-30.
Second Half Highlights
- Johnson was determined to take control of the game after halftime. She made several hustle plays, including drawing two charges, getting an offensive rebound, and tying up a North Texas player for a held ball. Her aggressive play was rewarded with trips to the free throw line, where she made four straight shots to bring the Flames within five, 45-40.
- North Texas righted their ship and put together a 6-0 run aided by two offensive rebounds, and held an 11 point lead with 3:24 to play in the third quarter. But Johnson didn't let the run continue. She made two steals, each leading directly to points, and had a putback basket. Another layup after an offensive rebound early in the fourth quarter pulled UIC within four points.
- Tylah Lampley scored the game's next six points, the final two on a fadeaway jumper that gave the Flames a two point lead; their first advantage since Byrd's three at the first quarter buzzer.
- The lead changed hands five times over the next six minutes. Bradley earned two trips to the free throw line, drawing Johnson's fifth foul on the latter. In between, Byrd nailed a clutch three and drew a foul, but was unable to complete the four point play.
- Trailing by one with 23 seconds to go, Byrd posted up on the right block and was fouled. She made both free throws to put the Flames up by one. On North Texas' ensuing possession, Teodora Zagorac flashed out as Bradley began a drive from the three point arc, forcing a double dribble. Bradley slammed the ball to the court in frustration, earning a technical foul that also counted as her fifth personal foul.
- Byrd made one of two technical free throws, and was fouled again after the Flames inbounded. She split her shots again, making it a three point game for the final 11 seconds. North Texas got off an awkward three pointer that didn't come close to going in as time expired.
Facts and Figures
- Johnson recorded her second double-double of the season. She made 6-of-8 field goals and split her 12 rebounds evenly on the offensive and defensive glass.
- Byrd followed her 29-point performance Saturday with a 24-point output Monday. She also handed out a career high five assists.
- The Flames' defense made the difference in the second half. North Texas shot 54% in the first half, made 6-of-13 threes, and had a 12:4 assist to turnover ratio. After halftime, they shot just 27% in the fourth quarter, went 0-for-5 from long range, and turned the ball over 14 times to just 8 assists.
- Lampley scored 10 points to set a season high, and set a new career high with five assists.
- The win was UIC's second come-from-behind victory of the season after trailing by double digits.
- The Mean Green blocked six shots, including four from Micayla Buckner.
- Bradley had a game high 27 points before fouling out. Three North Texas players fouled out of the game.
Up Next
- The Flames' four game homestand is over, but they won't travel far for their next game.
- UIC will face crosstown rival Loyola Friday afternoon.
- Tipoff from Gentile Arena in Rogers Park will be at noon.
Postgame Reaction
