Box Score

Nov. 19, 1999

CHICAGO - Trailing by 25 points in the second half to Valparaiso, UIC used a 14-1 run to pull within a dozen, 55-43, but it was not enough as the Crusaders downed the Flames 61-47 earlier tonight at the UIC Pavilion.

"They played with a little more energy than we did tonight," Head Coach Tim Eatman said moments after the game. "I?m proud of the way the kids stepped up, though, and never gave up."

UIC?s troubles started early as starting point guard Consuela Hall (Childersburg, Ala./Childersburg) picked up two fouls in the first two minutes of the first half, forcing Eatman to sit his freshman floor leader for the remainder of the period.

"With Hall picking up the quick two (fouls), we couldn?t push the ball the way we like to early on," said Eatman.

With the Flames trailing 15-14 halfway through the first half, the Crusaders went on 14-5 run to close out the period, taking a 29-19 lead into the break.

Things didn?t improve for UIC early in the second half as Valparaiso (1-0), which shot a blistering 61% in the second stanza, extended its lead to as many as 25 points, before a late UIC spurt helped the Flames get back into the game.

The Flames shot just 26% (17-for-66) for the game and 12% (3-for-25) from behind the three-point line. Newcomers Jaysie Chambers (Pleasanton, Calif./Amador Valley) and Kimberly Henry (Opelousas, La./Meridian C.C.) each had 10 points on the night to lead the Flames. Chambers also added seven rebounds in the loss.

UIC (0-1) now travels to Mobile, Ala., for a Tuesday night meeting with the University of South Alabama at 4:30 p.m.