Jan. 18, 2001

Box Score

Detroit, Mich. - UIC women's basketball coach Tim Eatman could not have been prouder of his team's efforts in their Midwestern Collegiate Conference match-up against Detroit on Thursday night.

It was their performance in the first half that left a lot to be desired.

Detroit built a 32-13 lead in the first half behind five 3-pointers from Shari Hill and the Flames were unable to overcome the lead as the Titans held on for the 62-54 victory.

Thursday was a virtual repeat of last Saturday's loss to Butler as the Bulldogs built a 27-10 first half lead.

"We didn't start well for the second straight game," Eatman said. "We don't want to be a come from behind team.

"Maybe we have to make some adjustments with the starters and some coaching adjustments."

Senior forward Amanda Bartz led the way for the Flames (4-12, 1-2) with 14 points and a season-high nine rebounds.

Senior guard Melea Clark (13 points) and sophomore forward Jaysie Chambers also turned in solid efforts in the loss for UIC.

The Flames battled back and came within 53-51 on a Clark lay-up with 4:10 left, but could come no closer.

The Titans (9-8, 1-2) did a masterful job of keeping Kimberly Henry in check. Henry scored only three points on 1-9 shooting.

The senior forward had been averaging 14.3 points per game and 22 points in each of the Flames MCC contests.

Detroit outscored the Flames 32-18 inthe paint behind a strong performance from junior forward Molly Peterman.

Peterman scored 17 points and ripped down seven rebounds for the Titans.

Detroit also took advantage and scored 22 points off 17 Flames turnovers.

"These are good kids," Eatman said. "They're still fighting. "We're not that far from coming around."

UIC will look to even up their conference record at .500 when they travel to Ohio to take on the Cleveland State Vikings at 4:00 PM at the Cleveland Convocation Center on Saturday.