Northwestern's troublesome defense proved too much for UIC to overcome, and the Flames could never find an offensive rhythm in an 88-44 loss to the Wildcats at Welsh-Ryan Arena Tuesday morning.

The Flames opened with plenty of energy and their hustle paid dividends.  Northwestern committed traveling violations on two straight possessions.  Melita Emanuel-Carr nailed a three off a well executed out of bounds set, and later Tyra Carlsten-Handberg made consecutive layups to give UIC a 9-7 lead. 

The Wildcats turned up the defensive intensity and closed the quarter on a 17-2 run.  The Flames would never close the gap, ultimately committing 26 turnovers and having six shots blocked.  UIC was outrebounded, 51-34.

Carlsten-Handberg had 14 points in a season high 34 minutes to lead the Flames.  Emanuel-Carr and Taylor Toney each had six rebounds.  Terri Bender had five assists, giving her sole possession of fifth place on UIC's all-time list.

UIC slowed the Wildcats' momentum in the second quarter when Laura Litchfield turned an offensive rebound into a basket.  Brittany Byrd poked the ball away from Northwestern and was rewarded with an outlet pass for a layup.  Then the whistles started blowing against UIC.  The Flames were whistled for 12 first half fouls to Northwestern's 4.  NU made 12 of 14 free throws, including a stretch when they scored 7 straight points from the free throw line to extend their lead to 40-19.  UIC did not attempt a free throw in the first 20 minutes.

Tyra Carlsten-Handberg had two 3-pointers to spark UIC on a 9-6 run to start the third quarter.  But the Flames got just two buckets over the last six minutes of the period, by which time Northwestern had built a comfortable 70-34 lead.

The fourth quarter gave Byrd a chance to make some nice plays in her season debut.  She converted a layup while being fouled, and took a rebound coast to coast for another three point opportunity.  Byrd finished with 8 points.

Ashley Deary and Nia Coffey showed why they are two of the Big Ten's, if not the nation's, top players. Coffey (19 pts) was a rebound shy of a double-double, but the Flames did limit her to a season-low 33% shooting.  Deary had 9 assists and 8 steals. Christen Inman added 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting.

UIC will continue their road trip on Friday, when they take on Virginia in Charlottesville at 6:00 pm.