Feb. 15, 2001

Box Score

Chicago, Ill. - The UIC women's basketball team had four players score in double-figures, shot 51% from the field and tallied a season-high point total as they rolled past Cleveland State, 92-71, Thursday night at the UIC Pavilion.

"I think this is one of the best games we've played all year," remarked UIC head coach Tim Eatman after the game. "We made shots and really played together as a team. I thought we moved the ball really well."

The 92 points was the most by a Flames' squad since 1993, when UIC (8-15, 5-5 MCC) scored 102 in a win over Chicago State.

Sophomore Jaysie Chambers led the way for the Flames, netting a career-best 21 points while pulling down a game-high 14 rebounds. It was Chambers second double-double of the season with both coming at the expense of the Vikings.

Melea Clark (15 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds), LeKesha Williams (13 points, 5 rebounds) and Kimberly Henry (12 points) also reached double-figures to pace UIC.

The Vikings (12-11, 5-5 MCC) were led by Tony Crum's 12-point effort. Preseason Midwestern Collegiate Conference Player of the Year Mahogany Green, who sat out most of the first half after picking up two quick fouls, was held to just two field goals and nine total points.

The Flames jumped out early on the Vikings on Thursday as they were up 8-0 before 90 seconds had ticked off the clock. Cleveland State would storm back, answering with a 15-2 run to take five-point lead (15-10) which would be its biggest advantage of the game at the 14:01 mark. During the surge, though, Green, who didn't score in the first half, picked up her second foul and went to the bench for the remainder of the period.

With Green out, UIC capitalized, outscoring Cleveland State 34-19 over the remainder of the half to take a 15-point lead (44-29) into intermission.

Even with Green in the second stanza, the Vikings would get no closer than 13 as the Flames expanded their lead to 21 (64-43) with 10:45 left and then traded baskets with CSU the rest of the way.

The win was the first in a big weekend for the Flames, who with a loss by Detroit to Loyola (107-92), move into a tie for third place with the Titans and Vikings at 5-5 in the MCC. UIC will have a chance to claim sole possession of third when they meet Detroit on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m., at the UIC Pavilion.

"Saturday is a crucial game for us," commented Eatman. "We'll find out if we have the fire in our eyes on Saturday and we'll see if we have he type of team that go out and win the MCC Tournament."