MILWAUKEE – The UIC women's basketball team (7-14, 0-10 HL) was outlasted by the Panthers of Milwaukee (16-6, 7-3 HL) on Sunday afternoon by a final score of 59-44.

The Flames trailed by just one possession at the half, but seven fourth-quarter fouls gave the Panthers too many opportunities. Taylor Toney was in the double-digits for the third-straight game, leading UIC with 20 points. It was her 17th double-digit performance, and fifth 20 plus effort of the season.

First Half Highlights

• Milwaukee was first to score, after a UIC foul sent the Panthers to the line for a pair. Gabryelle Johnson pushed against the defense and spun around to put one in for the Flames, 2-2.
• UIC went 0-for-5 while the Panthers were able to put together a 7-0 run and a 9-2 lead. Taylor Toney sank a jumper just inside the arc to get the Flames back in business, 9-4.
• The Flames were able to come within three at the 13-10 mark, but Milwaukee grabbed the final bucket with just over a minute remaining in the first (1:09) to establish a 15-10 lead after ten minutes.
• Trailing 17-12, Tylah Lampley swatted away an inbound ball for the Panthers, which resulted in a Toney jumper to put the Flames back within three, 17-14.
• Both teams combined for seven turnovers in the early minutes of the second, but the Flames were able to turn Milwaukee's miscues and build into a 10-0 run while the Panthers went silent, allowing UIC to grab its first lead of the game, 24-21.
• The Panthers were able to put in five unanswered points, three of which came from the free throw line, to regain a 26-24 edge at the half.

Second Half Highlights

• Catera Etheridge put one in from beyond the arc to start the Flames in the second half, but the Panthers quickly responded, 28-27.
• The home team went on an 11-0 run while UIC experienced a scoring drought, allowing Milwaukee to create a comfortable 39-29 lead. Toney was able to reignite the Flames after 5:30 scoreless with six-straight points to bring the Flames back within four, 39-35.
• Six Flames fouls continuously put the Panthers at the charity stripe, where they put in ten in the first half of the fourth frame, allowing Milwaukee's lead to reach into the double-digits, 53-41.
• UIC put on full-court pressure, and was able to keep the Panthers without a field goal for over five minutes, but repeated trips to the line had done their damage. Milwaukee was eventually able to drive in a pair of buckets to end the dry spell, ending the game with a 59-44 win for the Panthers.

Facts and Figures

• The Panthers (11) committed half as many fouls as the Flames (22), which ended up playing a large factor in Milwaukee's win.
• The Flames ended the afternoon shooting 35.2 percent overall, compared to Milwaukee's 45 percent. The Panthers were also superior in the paint, notching 26 points to UIC's 16.
• UIC ended the game with a positive turnover differential, committing 14 miscues to Milwaukee's 18.  The Flames were able to take advantage of the turnovers, turning in 18 points off turnovers versus the Panthers' 15.
• The Flames' scored their highest total off the bench (10) since Jan. 11 against Oakland.
• Abreanna Lake recorded a career-high seven points, while also matching her career-high assists with five.
• Milwaukee won the battle of the boards, out-rebounding UIC 35-24, but the Flames grabbed more on the offensive side, 10-9.
• Teodora Zagorac led UIC on the boards with eight rebounds, Gabryelle Johnson and Taylor Toney each notched three.

Up Next

• UIC wraps up its five-game road series next weekend as they travel to Indianapolis, Ind. to face IUPUI on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 2 p.m. CT.