CHICAGO – The UIC women's basketball team (7-17, 0-13 HL) had a strong outing for its freshmen on Saturday at home against Youngstown State (12-13, 8-6 HL), but ultimately fell 71-52.

Freshman Tia Tedford was back in the starting lineup for just the second time this season, and led the team with a career-best 15 points while going 3-for-6 from the three-point line. Jada Nneji was UIC's leading rebounder, grabbing a career-high 11 boards for the Flames.

First Half Highlights

• The Penguins got on the board first with a big three, and tacked on another two points in their next possession. Gabryelle Johnson was able to get the first points for UIC with a short jumper.
• Youngstown State sank another triple to make it 10-4, but the Flames began chipping away at lead, and a three from Tia Tedford capped a 7-0 run for UIC's first lead, 13-12.
• The Penguins' success beyond the arc continued, as they regained the lead with another shot from downtown, 16-13. A pair of late foul shots left YSU with an 18-15 lead after the first frame.
• The threes continued for Youngstown, and a 9-0 run in the opening minutes of the second quarter gave the Penguins a 27-16 lead. UIC snapped the curse and took the next seven, and a three from Johnson put the Flames within five, 31-26, but another YSU three had the Flames ending the first half facing a 10-point hole (38-28).  

Second Half Highlights

• Gabryelle Johnson put one up for the Flames at the 8:31 mark to start things off in the second half, but the Flames remained at a 10-point distance until a nearly five-minute field goal drought for the Penguins let UIC get closer, 44-39.
• Youngstown State's drought ended with its sixth three of the night, and the Penguins took eight of the next 10 to re-establish their buffer, 52-42. The Flames could not seem to gain enough ground, and they trailed by 12 at the end of the third quarter, 56-44.
• UIC was held scoreless for the first 5:37 until Taylor Toney drew a foul and was able to make both from the line. Meanwhile, the Penguins extended their lead beyond 20, 67-46.
• Tia Tedford netted the first field goal for UIC in the fourth, a three at the 2:31 mark, and she followed it up quickly with a repeat performance for six quick points, 69-52.
• Youngstown State was able to sink in one more bucket before the final buzzer, ending the game 71-52 in favor of the Penguins.

Facts and Figures

• Taylor Toney was the only other Flame to score in double figures, although several were close, pouring in 13 points while also committing four steals.
• Gabryelle Johnson was one point shy of double-digits with nine points, while also rebounding seven.
• Catera Etheridge matched her career-best five assists for the second time in three games, while also contributing seven points and five rebounds.
• In addition to her 11 rebounds, Jada Nneji also filled out the stats sheet with five points, two helpers, two blocks and a pair of steals.
• The Flames committed a season-low seven turnovers as a team, while forcing 15 for the Penguins. The 15 YSU miscues were converted into 17 points for the Flames, while the Penguins were only able to net five off UIC turnovers.
• The Penguins out-rebounded the Flames 49-34, and Youngstown State had 16 offensive boards to UIC's 13, but the two teams were even in second chance points with 13 apiece.
• Once again, the Flames made more attempts than their opponent (64-58), but the opposition was more efficient, making 43.1 percent of all shots while UIC made 31.3 percent from the field.

Up Next

• The Flames will return to the road next week, traveling to Detroit
• UIC will play Detroit Mercy on Thursday, Feb 15 before taking on Oakland on Saturday, Feb. 17.

Highlights