Jan. 3, 2008

Box Score

Youngstown, Ohio - The UIC women's basketball team (4-8, 0-1) fell in its opening Horizon League contest to Youngstown State (6-6, 1-0), 73-62, at Beeghly Center on Thursday night. Sophomores Briana Hinkle and Cassie Johnson each notched 14 points apiece.

Johnson was 5-for-9 from the field with six rebounds. Hinkle shot 50 percent from the field (6-for-12) with two assists. Sophomore Jessie Miller totaled 10 points and five boards. Junior Nikki Grobbecker led UIC on defense with 11 rebounds and two blocks.

Four Youngstown State players scored in double-digits with senior Heather Karner leading the pack with 19 points. Senior Jessica Schloemp pulled down a team-best 18 rebounds.

Scoreless for over three minutes of play, both teams struggled on offense to kick off the first half. At the 15:57 mark, Youngstown State went on a 16-5 run with seven points coming from the hands of Karner. The Flames got within nine points with 6:52 on the clock, but the Penguins extended the gap to 14 at halftime (39-25).

Ashley Tomzik led UIC after 20 minutes of play with six points. The freshman was 3-for-5 from the field with two boards. Karner paced the Penguins with 14 points.

UIC began to chip away at YSU's advantage midway through the second half, cutting the deficit to nine points with 10:30 remaining (50-41). The Penguins responded with an 11-2 burst for their largest lead of 18 points (61-43).

The Flames refused to go quietly and sparked an 11-5 run with less than four minutes left in regulation. Despite the late comeback, Youngstown State went on to open Horizon League action with a 73-62 victory over UIC.

UIC heads up to Cleveland to face the Vikings on Saturday, Jan. 5 at 4:00 p.m. CST.