March 5, 2010
Box Score
CHICAGO - The UIC women's basketball team turned the ball over 23 times on Thursday night and couldn't overcome those miscues as they fell to the Butler Bulldogs, 64-59, at the UIC Pavilion.
With the game on the line, the Flames (12-16, 9-8 Horizon League) had the basketball with 28 seconds left to play following a pair of free throws by Butler's (20-8, 13-4) Susan Lester which put the Bulldogs up, 62-59.
UIC's Shameia Green advanced the ball across the timeline before calling a timeout to set up a play. UIC was unable to inbound the ball, forcing the home team to call another timeout. The Flames were able to get the ball in play and Green took it as she surveyed the floor. Then, with 16.8 seconds to go, Green saw someone out of the corner of her eye to dish the ball off to, but it turned out to be a referee; the errant pass skidded out of bounds and possession was given back to Butler.
Following a pair of timeouts by Butler, Brittany Bowen was fouled by UIC's Jessie Miller. Bowen went to the charity stripe and made both free throws to put the Bulldogs ahead, 64-59.
It was a back-and-forth affair all night long with the lead changing hands eight times and the game being tied on six occasions.
"We did some things very well," said UIC head coach Lisa Ryckbosch. "Unfortunately, we didn't do enough of those things and we came up short."
UIC got off to a fast start, taking an 11-3 lead into the first media timeout with 14:28 left in the opening stanza. Following that break in the action, Butler countered with a 10-0 run of its own to regain the early lead.
The Flames took a three-point advantage into the half after Miller beat the buzzer with a three-pointer to give her team the lead, 28-25.
Jasmine Bailey logged yet another double-double for the Flames, scoring 13 points to go along with 12 rebounds, including five offensive boards. Miller (15) and freshman Lauren Gatto (10) joined Bailey in double figures for UIC, while Miller also brought down eight rebounds.
UIC shot the ball in the game, posting a 46.2 percent (24-for-52) mark from the field, but they gave away too many possessions. For the Flames, 23 turnovers was the second-highest total in a game this season.
"They're one of the best teams in our league and we hung right with them," said Ryckbosch.
Butler's Melanie Thornton led all scorers in the game with 18 points, while Lester added 11 points and six rebounds off the bench.
The Flames will take to the floor at the UIC Pavilion one last time this season when they host the Valparaiso Crusaders on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. It's Senior Day for UIC and the program will honor Miller and fellow senior Cassie Johnson for their memorable contributions to the program before the contest.
Fans can listen to podcasts featuring exclusive interviews with UIC head coaches, staff and student-athletes in two ways:
1. Download the free UIC Athletics Widget and click on the "UIC Flames Podcasts" link
2. Download podcasts for free on iTunes by searching "UIC Flames."
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