Three Flames scored in double figures, as UIC (4-3) used a second half run to pull away from Indiana Northwest (6-7), 74-56 at UIC Pavilion Wednesday afternoon.
The Flames dominated the middle part of the third quarter in opening up an 11 point lead. UIC scored 37 points off of 31 RedHawk turnovers, and had nearly as many offensive rebounds (26) as IUN had total boards (27). Over half (38) of UIC's points came on layups.
First Half Highlights
- Taylor Toney was the Flames' lone weapon in the early going. She scored the team's first four points and was the only Flame to make a shot in the first seven minutes, going 2-for-3 while the rest of the team combined to go 0-for-6.
- Gabryelle Johnson got her hands in between a RedHawk and the ball, coming away with a nice steal near midcourt and driving in for a layup that erased an early four point Indiana Northwest lead.
- Catera Etheridge made a stickback on a well designed out of bounds set to put the Flames up 16-15 early in the second quarter, marking their first lead since it was 4-3.
- Precision, tic-tac-toe passing resulted in the ball finding its way to Johnson for a wide open layup that sparked a 12-0 run which would eventually give the Flames their largest lead of the first half at 30-20. Within the run, Toney had a steal-and-score, and Brittany Byrd capped it with the team's only three-pointer of the first 20 minutes.
- Inconsistency in making their own shots was the only thing keeping the Flames from opening a lead greater than their eight point margin at the half. They attempted 41 shots in the first half to IUN's 20.
- Shots started to fall later in the second quarter. From the beginning of their 12-0 run, UIC made six of nine shots and allowed just one field goal; a three pointer with five seconds remaining.
Second Half Highlights
- Indiana Northwest came out of the locker room hot, connecting on a couple of quick baskets to pull within three points. Regina Miller called timeout, and her club's results were quite different when the game resumed.
- The Flames' lead quickly got back up to seven, and then as their run continued it seemed as though the floor was tilted in their favor the next six minutes. Multiple turnovers by IUN before they could advance the ball out of their backcourt led to increased opportunities for the home team.
- Jada Nneji picked off a pass near midcourt and had a clear run to the basket. After running back down the floor, she got the rebound and initiated a fast break with a nice lead pass.
- For six and a half minutes, Indiana Northwest made just one field goal and committed nine turnovers. The RedHawks did make two baskets late in the third quarter.
- UIC stayed aggressive in the fourth quarter. Tylah Lampley made a three pointer, Byrd scored on a baseline drive, and Abreanna Lake made a steal, saved the ball from going out of bounds, and found Toney for a layup to give the Flames a 13 point lead, their largest to that point.
- Kiarra Thompson got into the game in the late stages and helped the team finish strong. She made an aggressive steal which set up a layup. Soon after, she made a powerful drive to the rim and got fouled, only to grab her own rebound on a missed free throw and earn another trip to the line.
Facts and Figures
- UIC set season highs in field goal attempts (75), total (48) and offensive (26) rebounds, and turnovers forced (31). Their 74 points was also the most of the season.
- Three Flames reached double digit scoring. Byrd led the team with 18, Toney had 15 before fouling out, and Catera Etheridge had 10. Toney missed a double-double by one rebound.
- The Flames shot 45% from two point range, but just 12% (2-for-17) from three point distance. Overall, they made 37% of their shots.
- With numerous fast breaks resulting from IUN miscues, it comes as no surprise that the Flames' 37 points off turnovers and 48 points in the paint were both season highs.
- The RedHawks were limited to just four offensive rebounds and one second chance point. UIC attempted 31 more shots than their guests.
- Nneji set a season high for the second straight game, posting seven points.
- Thompson made the most of her two minute appearance, scoring the first points of her career.
Up Next
- Another stretch of two games in three days will conclude Friday evening.
- Eastern Michigan will visit UIC Pavilion for a 7:00 pm contest.
- The Flames will look to make it three wins in a row at home.
Postgame Reaction
