Dec. 3, 2001

Box Score

Chicago, Illinois - Good teams overcome bad games.

Such was the case for the University of Illinois at Chicago women's basketball team as they overcame 25 turnovers and a 10-point deficit in the second half to earn a 60-59 victory over Wright State in the Horizon League opener at the UIC Pavilion on Monday night.

The Flames, however, had to hold their breath.

Senior guard Josie Cole missed a one-and-one opportunity from the free throw line with 4.4 seconds left in the contest and Wright State gathered in the rebound.

Wright State center Brie Pennington took a few dribbles and drained a 35-footer, but the buzzer had sounded and the Flames earned the victory.

With the win, UIC improves to 5-0 overall and 1-0 in the Horizon League. Wright State drops to 0-7 for the season. This marks the best start for the Flames since the 1994-95 season when they opened the season with a record of 5-0.

Junior guard LeKesha Williams led the way for UIC with 15 points, while senior forward Stesha Rhodes chipped in 14 points for the host Flames.

Wright State took advantage of early turnovers by the Flames to give the Raiders a 35-30 lead heading into the intermission. Wright State center Brie Pennington led the way for the Raiders with eight points.

Wright State extended its lead to 40-30 in the opening seconds of the final stanza, but were unable to sustain their momentum. UIC went on a 16-4 run to take the lead and secure the victory.

Pennington led all scorers with 17 points, while teammate Tiffany Webb added 12 points.

UIC will travel to Honolulu, Hawaii this weekend to participate in the University of Hawaii-Manoa tournament. The Flames will open up against the #12-ranked Baylor Bears on Saturday at 11:00 p.m., and follow the next day against Hawaii at 9:00 p.m.