Chicago, Ill. - The University of Illinois at Chicago women's basketball team was finally able to relax and prepare for a team.

The Flames had just come off a four-game stand over an eight-day period and finished with a record of 0-4.

For Saturday's contest against Loyola, however, UIC had a week to prepare for their cross-town rivals.

The rest did the Flames a world of good, as they earned a 69-58 Horizon League victory over the Ramblers at the UIC Pavilion on Saturday night.

Senior guard Josie Cole led four UIC players in double-figures followed by junior guard LeKesha Williams (13 points), senior forward Stesha Rhodes (12 points) and junior forward Jaysie Chambers (11 points).

With the victory, UIC improves to 12-12 overall and 4-8 in the Horizon League, while Loyola falls to 12-11 and 6-6 in the league.

UIC took a 31-21 lead into halftime as Rhodes scored 10 of her 12 points in the opening frame. The Flames were able to extend that lead to 53-33 in the second half, behind eight points from Williams.

The Ramblers, cut the lead to eight points as they went on a 20-8 run, led by eight points from point guard Tracy Hoffmann (9 points).

Loyola, however, would come no closer as the Flames would hold off the rally with buckets from Williams and Chambers, and a pair of free throws from Consuela Hall (4 points) and Rhodes.

Beth Dilling led the Ramblers with 11 points, while teammate Lauren Sirus chipped in 10 points.

UIC will be back in action next Saturday, as they travel to Dayton, Ohio to take on Wright State at 6:00 PM.