CHICAGO -- UIC found itself down by as many as 16 points Saturday and though the Flames showed grit and determination to pull within a point in the fourth quarter, they could not complete comeback and fell to Detroit Mercy Saturday afternoon at the UIC Pavilion, 61-58.

The Flames (7-9, 0-5 Horizon League) struggled to make many shots Saturday. UIC made only seven field goals in the first half and shot 31.7 percent on the day, its lowest mark in five Horizon League games. The home also left many points at the charity stripe. The Flames went to the free throw line 32 times, but made only 17 of those efforts for a clip of 53.1 percent. Detroit Mercy (1-16, 1-5 Horizon League) overcame a game-high 24 turnovers by shooting 45.8 percent and 86.7 percent (13-of-15) from the free throw line.

Taylor Toney did it all for UIC Saturday, scoring a game-high 25 points and pulling down a game-high 10 rebounds to secure her second double-double of the season. The junior also contributed three steals to lead all players along with two blocks and two assists. Brittany Byrd fell two rebounds shy of her own double-double with 16 points and eight boards.

First Half Highlights

• Detroit Mercy put up seven points to start before Gabryelle Johnson was able to run one in for a layup to get UIC on the board.
• The Flames came within two, 7-5, but the Titans created space with nine-straight points, 16-5.
• Brittany Byrd sank a long one for three to end the scoring drought for UIC, and Taylor Toney was able to lay one up, but Detroit Mercy put in another eight before the quarter ended, and finished the first with a 24-10 lead.
• A pair of free throws and a layup from Toney were the only points the Flames put up in the first half of the second quarter, until another scoring drought plagued UIC's offense. Toney went to the line and made one of two shots, but not before nearly four minutes had elapsed without a Flames score.
• The drought changed sides to the visitors, as they went almost three minutes without a bucket, allowing the Flames to shrink the lead to 10, 30-20.
• The Titans rediscovered their offense with just under a minute remaining in the half, ending the first half with a 34-22 lead.
• UIC had several opportunities in the first half to earn some easy points from the free throw line, but the Flames made just seven of 19 opportunities, while the visitors were on the opposite end of the spectrum, making all nine freebies.  

Second Half Highlights

• The two teams stayed even in the first half of the third, putting up eight points apiece to keep UIC's deficit hovering around 12.
• Brittany Byrd came up with a three pointer from the right corner, but the Titans quickly responded with a three of their own and followed it with a layup to extend the lead to 15, 50-35.
• Teodora Zagorac put in a successful trip to the line with a pair, and Tia Tedford ran one in and drew a foul, making her free throw as well. Abreanna Lake came in off the bench, forced a turnover and drew another foul, and after making both, the Flames were down by just eight, 50-42.
• Byrd ended the third in dramatic fashion with a buzzer beater three to end the quarter with UIC down by just five, 50-45. Byrd's three capped a 10-0 scoring run for the Flames.
• Taylor Toney and Lake netted a pair of jumpers to put UIC within three, 52-49.
• Trailing by a basket (54-52), both offenses went quiet, as both teams went almost four minutes without a field goal.
• Toney ended the scoreless streak on both sides with a layup, but Detroit Mercy sank a three just under the 30-second marker to create a four-point cushion, 58-54.
• Needing three with 20 seconds to go, Byrd went for a long three to tie it, but was off target. Johnson grabbed the rebound and put it in to put UIC within one, but a foul put the Titans at the line, where they had been successful all afternoon, making both shots to secure a 61-58 win.

Game Highlights



Facts and Figures

• Taylor Toney had her second double-double of the season Saturday and the fifth of her career. Her 10 rebounds matched a season and career high, last accomplished against Indiana State on Nov. 30.
• Toney played all 40 minutes for the second time in conference play (also at Youngstown State).
• Freshman Tia Tedford made her first start of the season for the Flames. The Detroit, Mich., native chipped in with five points, a game-high four assists and two steals in 24 minutes of action.
• UIC outscored Detroit Mercy 36-24 in the second half.
• Both teams scored 30 points in the paint and 18 points off turnovers. Detroit Mercy's bench had a sizable edge though, outscoring UIC's, 18-8.
• The Flames and Titans each pulled down 34 rebounds, but got there in different ways. UIC owned the offensive glass, 17-5. Detroit Mercy dominated the defensive end to the tune of. 29-17.

Up Next

• The Flames will have another quick two-day break before wrapping up the homestand on Monday, Jan. 15 against Milwaukee.
• Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT and the game will be broadcast on NBC Sports Chicago. Joe Brand and Chris Bleck will be on the call.