Box Score Jan. 8, 2016 Box Score
CHICAGO - UIC (9-5, 0-3) fought an uphill battle the entire evening and dropped a 78-76 decision to Oakland (10-4, 2-1) Thursday night at the Pavilion. For the Flames it was their third straight loss to begin Horizon League action.
From the outset UIC was sluggish and out of sync. The Flames led 8-6 in the opening frame before struggling through a three minute scoring drought and found themselves down 17-11 after the first period. In the second period UIC picked up the pace and opened with a 14-7 run to take a 25-24 lead, but Oakland used an 8-0 spurt along with another two minute scoreless streak by UIC to hold onto a 39-35 advantage at halftime.
"We committed too many unforced turnovers," said head coach Regina Miller. "A lot of our turnovers led to fast break points for them." The Flames committed a season high 25 turnovers in the game that led to 28 points for Oakland.
UIC made some halftime adjustments and it showed in the second half. The Flames put together a 7-0 run on a three point basket by Marissa Grossfeld (10 points) and layups from Caitlin Garant (14 points) and Melita Emanuel-Carr (18 points) to take a 55-52 lead. However Oakland clawed back and finished the period with a 58-57 lead.
Kendyl Nunn carried the Flames in the fourth period, scoring 11 of her career-tying 22 points in the quarter. With Oakland leading 69-63 and five minutes left in the game, Nunn connected on a three pointer to cut the lead to three. She would later nail another three-ball to tie the game at 73-73 with 1:39 remaining. After a pair of free throws gave Oakland a 77-73 lead, Nunn performed another bit of magic with her third three-pointer to cut the lead to one at 77-76 with six seconds left, but an unforced turnover by the Flames ended the comeback attempt.
"Turnovers make it difficult to build anything," said Miller. "We would battle back - tie the game or take the lead and then make an unforced turnover. We have to value the ball more than we did in order to give ourselves a chance especially in tight games."
The three losses to begin Horizon League play are the most since the Flames dropped four straight during the 2007-08 season. UIC has an opportunity to end their slide on Saturday when Detroit visits the Pavilion at 3:00 p.m. CT. For tickets go to www.uicflames.com or call the ticket office at 312-413-UIC1.
UIC Assists: Caitlin Garant established a career high with 14 points ... she has scored in double figures in six straight games ... UIC committed a season-high 25 turnovers ... this is the second game in a row the Flames have lost by a basket in the final seconds ... the Flames held a 27-6 advantage on second chance baskets and the bench outscored Oakland 34-6 ... there were 14 lead changes and seven ties in the game ... UIC managed just four fast break points.
