Feb. 12, 2000

Box Score

Chicago, Ill. - Tenacious first-half defense and clutch second-half offensive execution helped UIC slip past Wright State, 68-61, Saturday afternoon at the UIC Pavilion.

"It was really nice to win," Head Coach Tim Eatman said after the game. "We finally executed down the stretch and it was nice to see that."

Despite Wright State (5-16, 3-6 MCC) shooting 62 percent (12-for-21) from the field and 83 percent (5-for-6) from behind the three-point arc in the first half, the Flames were able to take a two point lead (35-33) into the break thanks to their full-court pressure defense. UIC forced the Raiders into 16 turnovers in the first stanza and closed the period on an 8-3 mini run to turn a three-point deficit into a two-point halftime lead.

Amanda Bartz stole the show in the first five minutes of the second half, nailing a trio of treys to help UIC build an eight-point advantage (52-44). Bartz tied her career-high with five three-pointers and finished with 15 points while adding five boards and a career-high four assists.

Wright State climbed back into the game, though, and actually took the lead, 59-58, on a three-pointer by Chanda Hollingsworth with 4:41 left. Hollingsworth matched Bartz, nailing five triples and totaling 15 points in the contest.

Down one, UIC (8-14, 3-6 MCC) tightened the screws on defense and executed on offense, outscoring the Raiders 10-2 down the stretch to claim the seven-point victory.

Kimberly Henry led four Flames in doubles figures with 18 points. She also tabbed a team-high six rebounds. Melea Clark and Jaysie Chambers each added 12 points, with eight of Chambers coming in the second half.

Hollingsworth led Wright State with 15 points. Jess Van Der Geest tabbed 13 points and a game-high seven boards.

UIC, which has won two of its last three games, is back in action on Thursday, Feb. 17, as they travel to Cleveland, Ohio, for a match-up with Cleveland State at 7:00 p.m. EST