Catera Etheridge scored a career high 17 points, but the UIC Flames dropped their Horizon League opener to IUPUI, 82-46 at UIC Pavilion Saturday afternoon.
The Jaguars posted a 42-22 edge in rebounds, and attempted 24 free throws to the Flames' 5. UIC closed to within six points in the second quarter, only to have IUPUI go on a 16-4 run spanning the second and third quarters to take an insurmountable lead. Danielle Lawrence's 21 points paced four Jaguars in double figures.
First Half Highlights
- The Flames jumped out to an early lead, thanks to a runner in the lane by Catera Etheridge and a spinner underneath from Brittany Byrd. Their 7-4 advantage was also aided by good post defense by Teodora Zagorac, who had two blocks, a steal, and two defensive rebounds in the first six minutes.
- IUPUI responded with consecutive three pointers. They went 3:32 without a basket, having one negated when Gabryelle Johnson drew a charge. Their drought ended on another made three, while UIC suffered through an 0-for-4 ending to the first quarter.
- The Jaguars scored the last eight points of the first period, and the first six of the second. Following an 0-for-4 start, and being out-rebounded 5-1, over the first 2:08, UIC called timeout facing a 15 point deficit.
- Out of the stoppage, Taylor Toney made a three, and a Johnson block cleared the path for a Toney layup. Toney scored 10 of the Flames' first 12 points of the quarter, with the last coming on another three pointer.
- Byrd made a three to pull UIC within six at 30-24, capping a 10-2 run. But the final three minutes of the first half belonged to IUPUI, who pushed their lead back into double digits, 37-26, at the break.
Second Half Highlights
- Neither team shot well at the outset of the third quarter. UIC in particular was frustrated late in the shot clock and unable to get off an attempt on a couple of possessions. IUPUI was able to construct a 7-0 run, mostly from the free throw line.
- Johnson converted two layups within a minute, the second coming on a nice pass under the basket from Tia Tedford, but shortly after was whistled for an illegal screen which was her fourth personal foul. Upon her exit from the game, IUPUI went underneath to Morgan Allen, who made layups on two straight possessions.
- The Flames were able to put six points on the board in two late third quarter possessions. Catera Etheridge made a jumper through contact and converted the three-point play, and Tylah Lampley swished a three pointer. Etheridge later used a nice spin move to beat the buzzer.
- Jada Nneji impacted an energetic sequence for the Flames. She blocked a shot in the lane, and on the ensuing inbound pass, deflected the ball to Etheridge. Etheridge did the rest, going coast to coast and converting an off-balance baseline jumper.
Facts and Figures
- Etheridge's career high 17 points came on 8-for-12 shooting, with her field goal attempts and makes also both career highs.
- Taylor Toney was the only other Flame in double figures, with 10 points. It was Toney's sixth straight game with 10 or more points.
- Nearly half of IUPUI's margin of victory was accounted for in the fourth quarter, when they outscored UIC 23-6.
- The Flames blocked seven Jaguar shots to set a season high. Five players had at least one, with Johnson and Zagorac recording two each.
- IUPUI posted a 44-18 advantage in points in the paint. "We needed to defend better underneath, and get more deflections and steals when they got the ball into the paint," head coach Regina Miller said.
- UIC averaged over 78 points per game during their four game winning streak, but has been held to 55 or fewer in the last two games, both losses.
- The loss snapped a five game home winning streak, and was UIC's first loss at home since November 25.
- The Jaguars shot 54.7% from the floor and 50% from beyond the arc, setting season highs for UIC opponents.
Up Next
- The Flames will leave the city of Chicago for the first time in over a month, as a road trip to Youngstown State and Cleveland State looms next week.
- UIC will take on the Penguins at 4:15 pm January 4.
- "We need to extend our defense and be sharp on the perimeter, since Youngstown State and Cleveland State both have shooters who can make you pay," Miller commented.
Postgame Reaction
