GREEN BAY, Wis. – The UIC women's basketball team (7-13, 0-9 HL) took on Horizon League-leading Green Bay (17-2, 8-1 HL) Friday night at Green Bay's Kress Center. The Flames contended well in the first half, trailing just 31-24 at halftime, but the Phoenix defense proved strong, holding UIC to just 12 points in the second half for a 65-36 Flames loss.

Taylor Toney and Brittany Byrd led UIC with 13 points apiece, while Green Bay's Allie LeClaire and Frankie Wurtz also netted 13 points to lead all scoring.

First Half Highlights

• Green Bay put in its first basket off its first possession, but Taylor Toney was able to sneak around a defender to put up a layup to get UIC on the board.
• The Flames were held scoreless over the next 2:38, until Toney once again was able to drive one in for a layup, but the Phoenix had created a 9-4 lead in the meantime.
• Green Bay grew its lead to 13-4, but then both teams struggled to score, with neither team putting in a bucket for 2:35, until Brittany Byrd put up a jumper for the Flames, 13-6. Byrd's bucket would be the last point of the quarter for UIC, as the Phoenix led 15-6 at the end of the first frame.
• Tylah Lampley got on the board with a three in the second, and Toney followed with a triple of her own to put the Flames within six, 18-12. On their next possession, Toney sunk another jumper, and then Byrd went yard for three, giving UIC a quick 11-0 run in just 1:18 to draw within one, 18-17.  
• The Phoenix called timeout and came back fighting, putting in seven unanswered points to recreate their lead, 25-17.
• Green Bay put in its last field goal of the half with 3:05 to go, but put in four free throws to supplement. Byrd put in her second three with 18 seconds to go for the Flames' last score, but the Phoenix led 31-24 at the half.

Second Half Highlights

• Green Bay ended its field goal dry spell 1:05 into the third period, and then went 4-for-4 to start the third quarter. Brittany Byrd and Taylor Toney were able to put one in each, but the Phoenix lead reached into double-digits, 40-28 at the media timeout.
• A 6-0 run put Green Bay up 46-30, until Tylah Lampley stole the ball and ran it back, 46-32.
• The Flames made just nine field goal attempts in the third, netting eight points overall, leading to a 48-32 lead for Green Bay heading into the fourth.
• Three UIC turnovers became six points for the home team to start the fourth, while the Flames remained scoreless, 56-32.
• Byrd sank a three with 2:52 remaining, her third of the night, but Green Bay still held a 59-35 lead. Late foul trouble plagued the Flames, leading to seven freebies for Green Bay in the last four minutes. The Phoenix closed out the night with a 65-36 win.

Facts and Figures

• Green Bay outshot UIC 42.9 percent to 37.5 percent from the field, but UIC was better beyond the arc, making 33.3 percent (5-for-15) of threes compared to the Phoenix 15 percent (3-for-20).
• UIC's strongest quarter was the second, as they shot 63.6 percent with 18 points, more than Green Bay netted in a single quarter all night. The Horizon League's top defense was able to contain the Flames in the other three quarters, keeping UIC below 10 points in all three frames.
• The Phoenix totaled 34 boards to UIC's 28, but the Flames made more rebounds on the defensive side (22) than Green Bay (20).
• After Byrd and Toney, Lampley put in the most points with five, one of which came from behind the three-point line.
• Toney and Teodora Zagorac each had four rebounds, while Gabryelle Johnson and Lampley each had three.
• Twenty-five UIC turnovers led to 23 points for the home team, who committed just nine turnovers. The Flames took 14 points from those nine miscues.
• Green Bay was more successful in the paint, 32-12, as a tough Phoenix defense forced the Flames to make their shots elsewhere.

Up Next

• UIC will head south to close out the weekend at Milwaukee. The Flames and the Panthers are set to face off on Sunday, Jan. 28 at 2 p.m. CT.