Tyra Carlsten-Handberg and
Taylor Toney each had double-doubles, and for the second straight game UIC made a big comeback in the second half. But a slow start was too much to overcome in the Flames' (4-21, 1-13 HL) 62-51 loss to first place Wright State (20-5, 12-1 HL) Saturday afternoon in Dayton.
The Flames held Wright State to just 26.7% shooting, a season low for the Raiders as well as the best defensive performance of the season for the Flames. Wright State didn't make a field goal for the first 8:08 of the third quarter as the Flames roared back from a 32-19 halftime deficit.
Carlsten-Handberg had 10 points and a career high 12 rebounds to register her first double-double. Toney had 11 points and 10 rebounds, getting her second double-double of the season, both of which have come in the last four games.
Carlsten-Handberg was instrumental in igniting the rally. Limited to just four minutes in the first half, she came out of the gates with a three pointer to open the second half and was active defensively, racking up steals and blocks. She converted a layup to pull UIC within eight, and then Toney took over. She scored nine of the team's last 11 points of the third quarter, thanks in part to finding open spots on the court where her teammates could feed her the ball for easy shots.
The Flames held Wright State to 0 for their first nine shots of the second half. Toney's second straight short jumper brought UIC to within two points, 36-34, at the 3:18 mark, but then the Raiders rattled off four straight makes to end the period and push their lead back up to 10 points.
Ten points was the Raiders' margin at the end of the first quarter. Wright State scored the first seven points of the game, and though UIC was active in the passing lanes and racked up several steals in the early minutes, they had difficulty cashing in. Wright State was more efficient, getting 19 points off turnovers to UIC's seven.
Brittany Byrd led the Flames with 19 points, setting a new career high. She scored on a variety of drives through traffic in the first half and had some key buckets in the fourth quarter, but Wright State never let the Flames get closer than nine points in the final stanza. The Raiders made 13 of 18 free throws in the fourth, and 27 of 35 for the game. UIC went to the line only 11 times and made six.
Chelsea Welch led the home team with 21 points. Lexi Smith had 13 rebounds. It was just the second time UIC has outshot a Horizon League opponent, and the first time all year they have lost when doing so.
The Flames will return home for the final two home games of the season, beginning Thursday evening against Detroit Mercy. It will be the fourth annual Ladies' Night Out and breast cancer awareness game.
