Dec. 18, 1999

Box Score

Berkeley, Calif. ? For the second consecutive game, UIC struggled out of the gate, falling behind by 20 points in the first half en route to a 66-44 loss at California-Berkeley in the opening round of the Oakland-Tribune Classic.

The Flames (5-4), who tallied only five field goals and shot just 25% (5-for-20) in the first stanza, committed 15 first-half turnovers and allowed 16 Cal offensive rebounds which led to the Golden Bears? 36-16 halftime lead.

Despite 16 points from Melea Clark in the second half, the Flames could only trim the Cal lead to 18, as the Golden Bears improved to 5-2 on the season.

Clark and Kimberly Henry led UIC, who had only five players score on the night, with 17 points apiece, while Cal, who had 10 players score at least one point, was led by Courtney Johnson?s 12 points.

The Flames will look to end their two-game slide tomorrow in the Oakland-Tribune Classic consolation game, as they battle Pepperdine, who lost 73-70 to Florida in the tournament?s opening game, tomorrow, Dec. 19, at 7:00 p.m. PST.