Jan. 8, 2015
Box Score
CHICAGO - The UIC women's basketball team (10-4, 0-1 HL) opened Horizon League play Thursday with a 69-66 home loss to Youngstown State (12-2, 1-0 HL). YSU made 25-of-29 free throw attempts and shot 8-of-19 from three-point range.
The Penguins became just the fourth UIC opponent to shoot over 40 percent from the field (.474) and converted 58 percent of their field goals in the second half (10-of-17). YSU secured the victory by making 16-of-18 free throws in the second half.
UIC picked up 11 steals and forced 19 YSU turnovers. The Flames also outrebounded the Penguins, 38-29, and scored 14 more points in the paint (28-14).
"Part of our game plan was to keep Youngstown State off the free throw line and we did not accomplish that tonight," said UIC head coach Regina Miller. "There were many good chances to either tie or take the lead down the stretch but we could not convert offensively. We must rebound quickly and be ready to play a tough road game at Valparaiso Saturday."
Ruvanna Campbell, who ranks third nationally in rebounds, collected her tenth double-double with a game-high 24 points and 13 rebounds. Campbell's performance is her fourth 20-point effort of the season and her 36th double-double at UIC.
Campbell was 9-of-19 from the floor and 6-of-10 from the free throw line. She also had five assists and two blocks. Campbell has scored in double-digits for 18 consecutive contests dating back to last season.
Terri Bender had 15 points and 10 assists for her second career double-double and first since Jan. 16, 2014. She also played all 40 minutes and collected a season-high seven rebounds. Bender was one of four UIC players to pick up two steals and increased her season total to 43, which ranks seventh in the nation.
Melita Emanuel-Carr scored 10 points for her third straight double-digit effort. She was 2-of-4 from downtown and has converted 51 percent of her three-point attempts (15-of-29) over the last nine contests.
Kendyl Nunn added 10 points off the bench for her second consecutive double-figure performance. She also grabbed four more offensive rebounds in 22 minutes of action. Nunn ranks seventh in the Horizon League with 35 offensive rebounds.
UIC used an 11-0 run midway through the first half to take a 19-12 lead with 7:55 on the clock. The Flames took their largest lead of the contest at 27-19 on Bender's jumper with 3:01 before halftime. YSU responded by scoring nine out of the next 10 points and the game was tied 28-28 at the break.
UIC came out strong in the second half and led 35-31 following Bender's jumper at 15:18. The Penguins used an 11-1 run, including three three-pointers, to take a 42-36 lead with 12:08 left.
YSU's largest lead of the game came at 62-53 with 3:55 remaining. UIC responded with a 9-2 run to narrow the Penguins' lead to 64-62 with 1:33 on the clock. YSU secured the victory by making five out of six free throws and holding the Flames to one field goal down the stretch.
The Flames are quickly back in action Saturday (Jan. 10) at Valparaiso (4-10, 0-1 HL). Tip-off is set for 1:35 pm CT inside the ARC. The Crusaders fell to Cleveland State, 69-62, on the road Thursday afternoon to open conference play.
