Dec. 2, 2005
Box Score
Chicago, Ill -The UIC women's basketball team fell to Northern Illinois on the road Friday night, 51-40. The Flames move to 2-4 on the season and prepare to host Northern Iowa at 7 pm on Friday, December 9th at the Pavilion.
Junior guard LaShonda Grant paced the Flames with 11 points and six steals. Sophomore Nicole Rinaldi led UIC with seven rebounds and posted a career-high four blocked shots on the night.
NIU's Stephanie Raymond led the Huskies with 17 points, shooting 90 percent from the line. Kristin Wiener picked up a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
With Northern Illinois leading by six early in the first half, Grant helped spark a 5-0 run to cut NIU's lead to one point (14-13).
The Huskies extended the gap after sinking ten unanswered points before UIC junior Kelly True knocked down a trey to break the run.
Late in the first half, UIC held Northern Illinois to zero points in last seven minutes to only trail 24-20 going into intermission.
Down by five points (39-34) with less then six minutes left in regulation, UIC senior Chrissy Dizon hit a key three pointer to cut the lead to two points. NIU hit two quick baskets and made late foul shots to edge out the Flames 51-40.
Although UIC didn't pick up the win, Head Coach Lisa Ryckbosch zoned in on improvements the team made.
"I am thrilled with the team's effort," said Ryckbosch. "They played outstanding defense, holding the Huskies to only 51 points."
UIC will host Northern Iowa at 7 pm on Friday, December 9th at the Pavilion.
