Box Score Dec. 30, 2015
Box Score
Fairborn, Ohio - UIC (9-3, 0-1) opened Horizon League play with a 73-62 loss Wednesday night at Wright State (11-3, 1-0). The loss was the Flames fifth straight to begin conference action dating back to the 2009-10 season.
Wright State led from the opening tip to the final horn, jumping out to an 8-1 lead in the first period and never looked back. Throughout the contest, UIC stumbled through four stretches of three minutes or more without a basket including a five minute scoring drought in the second period. The Flames managed just seven points in the second period on 3-of-14 (21.4%) shooting and shot 7-30 (23.3%) with nine turnovers in the first half.
The Flames cold shooting woes continued in the third period as Wright State ran out to a 23 point lead, their largest of the game. UIC would not give in despite trailing 49-30 after three periods. The Flames mounted a furious fourth period rally scoring a season high 32 points to close the deficit to nine points but could not get any closer.
"We didn't shoot the ball well in the beginning," said head coach Regina Miller. "We had open looks, they just didn't fall our way. The fourth period we used our pressure defense and it led to some easy baskets."
Four players scored in double figures led by Melita Emanuel-Carr with 19 points. Ruvanna Campbell (14 points, 16 rebounds) posted her eighth double-double of the season, Caitlin Garant chipped in 10 points and Brittany Byrd scored a career-high 10 points off the bench.
"We have to put this loss behind us and get ready for a tough Northern Kentucky team," said Miller.
UIC will travel to Highland Heights, Ky. on Friday to face new Horizon League member Northern Kentucky. Game time is 6:05 pm CT inside the BB&T Arena.
UIC Assists: The Flames have lost five straight Horizon League openers dating back to the 2010-11 season ... Ruvanna Campbell moved into third place on the UIC career rebounding list (1,030 rebs.) and into eighth place on the career scoring list with 1,341 points ... Teodora Zagorac nailed her first career 3 pointer ... UIC never led in the game for the first time this season ... the Flames scored a season high 32 points in the fourth period.
