Box Score Jan. 23, 2016 Box Score
CHICAGO -- Redshirt senior Ruvanna Campbell returned to form as she led the Flames (10-9, 1-7 HL) to an 80-62 victory over Cleveland State (4-13, 1-6 HL) at the UIC Pavilion on Saturday evening. Campbell poured in 24 points and pulled down 20 rebounds, her first 20-20 game of the season (third career).
UIC was determined from the opening tip to put an end to their season-long seven-game losing streak. The Flames used a combination of good defense, holding Cleveland State to 18% (3-16) shooting, and pinpoint accuracy on the offensive end (55.6%, 10-18) while staking claim to a 22-11 lead after the first period.
The Flames increased the lead to 18 points (largest margin) early in the second period however the Vikings would not relent. Cleveland State used a 23-10 run late in the period thanks in part to a barrage of three pointers and eight turnovers by UIC to cut the lead to 40-35 at halftime.
Cleveland State kept it interesting in third period shrinking the deficit to 51-49 with 4:11 to play, before Kendyl Nunn nailed a three pointer from the corner to give the Flames a 54-49 lead that would increase to seven at the end of the period. Ruvanna Campbell carried the load in the period as she scored 10 of her game-high 24 points on 5-of-7 shooting along with seven boards to keep the Vikings at bay.
In the final period UIC limited Cleveland State to just eight points while maintaining a double digit lead and posting their first win in Horizon League action this season. "It felt really good to get this win," said head coach Regina Miller. "Tonight our defense was our offense - we forced them into turnovers and turned those opportunities into fast break points." UIC shot 55% and held Cleveland State to 29% from the field.
UIC had five players score in double figures for the first time this year, led by Campbell. For Campbell it was her third career 20-20 game and first since Jan. 17, 2015 at Oakland (21 pts/24 rebs). Two players posted career highs -- Caitlin Garant (16 points) and Imani Moore (15 points), while Kendyl Nunn chipped in 13 points and eight boards off the bench and Melita Emanuel-Carr added 10 points.
The Flames take a week off before returning to action on Saturday, Jan. 30 at Valparaiso. Tip-off is set for 1:30 p.m.
UIC Assists: Flames had 46 points in the paint and 21 second chance points ... a series of firsts for UIC this season: 1.) scored 80 points in game, 2.) UIC shot over 50% and held an opponent to less than 30% ... Flames led for 37:39 minutes during the game.
