Dec. 30, 2014
Box Score Photo Gallery
CHICAGO - The UIC women's basketball team (9-3) won its 13th straight game at home Tuesday night with a 63-28 victory over Loyola Chicago (2-9). UIC is 7-0 at home this season and finished the 2013-14 campaign with six straight home victories. The Flames have outscored opponents by an average of 20.6 points in Chicago this season.
UIC is off to its best 12-game start in the Division I era (1981-present). The 2014 WBI Champions have won 13 out of their last 16 contests overall.
The Flames came within two points of setting the program record for fewest points allowed. UIC allowed 27 points against St. Clair C.C. on Jan. 4, 1980. The last time UIC allowed less than 40 points was Feb. 2, 2008 against Detroit (36) and Loyola's 28 points were the lowest since Nov. 24, 2000 when the Flames held South Alabama to 31.
UIC set season highs in rebounds (54) and assists (18) while holding the Ramblers to opponent season lows in points (28), field goals made (11), assists (8) and field-goal percentage (.216). The Flames collected 12 steals, forced 22 turnovers and scored 20 points off the Ramblers' miscues.
"The game was close early but our trapping defense changed the complexity of the game," said UIC head coach Regina Miller. "We converted those defensive stops into points and that was our game plan. Ruvanna (Campbell) ignited our offense in the first half and we used our size to score many points in the paint."
Ruvanna Campbell, who ranks third nationally in rebounds per game, picked up her ninth double-double with 24 points and 15 rebounds. She owns three 20-plus point performances this season and 16 in her UIC career.
Campbell also dished out five assists and collected four steals. She has scored in double-digits for 16 consecutive contests dating back to last season.
Terri Bender scored 11 points to record her ninth double-figure effort. She also had five assists and needs 19 more assists to enter the program's top ten (293).
Melita Emanuel-Carr tallied 10 points while also setting career highs in rebounds (8) and steals (5). Emanuel-Carr was 2-of-6 from downtown and picked up her sixth double-figure scoring performance.
Caitlin Garant scored eight points for the second consecutive contest while Manuella Kanmegni set season highs in rebounds (10) and points (4). The Flames grabbed 17 rebounds and scored 13 second-chance points.
Sam Lambrigtsen's three-pointer with 10:24 left in the first half tied the game at 13-13. UIC responded with a 21-0 run over the next 9:05 to take control of the contest. The Flames led 34-14 at halftime and used 22-6 run in the second half to increase its lead to 37 (61-24).
The Flames close out their non-conference schedule at home Friday (Jan. 2) against Robert Morris-Springfield (3-10). The Eagles compete in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA). Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. CT inside the UIC Pavilion.
