Feb. 17, 2000

Box Score

Cleveland, Ohio - It was the Jaysie Chambers show Thursday night at the CSU Convocation Center as she scored 18 of her career-high 20 points in the second half to lead UIC past Cleveland State, 60-53.

"I was frustrated after picking up some silly fouls in the first half," said Chambers following the game. "I came in (the second half) much more focused. My teammates helped out by getting me the ball. I'm really proud, though, of the way I was able to also turn it up on the defensive end."

Chambers, who played just five minutes in the first half after committing two quick fouls, was 8-for-13 from the field and 2-for-3 from the free throw line in the second period. She also grabbed four rebounds while tabbing one block and one steal in the half. Chambers had help on the offensive end as Kimberly Henry tallied 16 points while Melea Clark added 14 to help keep the Vikings, and Audra Cook, at bay.

Cook tallied a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Vikings. The Flames were able to contain Mahogany Green offensively, holding her to just eight points, but she did manage to make her presence felt on the boards, corralling a game-high 15 rebounds.

The game was a back-and-forth affair through the first twenty minutes as the teams exchanged the lead eight times and neither squad was able to build a lead larger than three.

Cleveland State outshot UIC, 29 percent to 35 percent, and outrebounded them, 25 to 16, in the first half, but the Flames took a 22-20 lead into the break thanks in part to a pressure defense that forced the Vikings into 16 turnovers. Henry carried the offensive load in the first half, scoring 10 points.

Even as Chambers began to dominate on the offensive end in the second half, Cleveland State never let UIC pull away, seeming to have an answer for every Flames' basket.

With the score tied 44-44 with 4:55 left, UIC finally was able to put together a substantial run, reeling off seven straight points over the next two minutes. Chambers started the run with a turn-around jumper from the low post. Then with the Vikings packing their defense in to cover her, Henry nailed 12-footer from the baseline and Clark dropped in a three-pointer from the left wing.

Cleveland State (11-12, 3-8 MCC) wouldn't quit and cut the lead down to three (57-53) with 0:20 left, but Henry and Clark each made a pair of free throws in the waning moments to seal the victory.

UIC (9-14, 4-6 MCC) has now won back-to-back games and its nine total wins is the most since the 1995-96 season. The Flames will look to make it three straight on Saturday afternoon when they play at Detroit at 2:00 p.m.