UIC fell to 3-3 on the season with a 58-48 loss to Bradley (4-3) Saturday afternoon in Peoria.  Behind strong play by Gabryelle Johnson, UIC erased a 10 point deficit and tied the game on two occasions in the third quarter.  But they were never able to stake themselves to the lead, and Bradley used a big run at the beginning of the fourth quarter to put the game out of the Flames' reach.

First Half Highlights

• Bradley build a 4-0 lead as the Flames missed their first eight shots.  Catera Etheridge broke the ice, and Teodora Zagorac volleyed an offensive rebound into the hoop to get the offense going; and Jada Nneji made a quick steal and went all the way to the rim.
• Turnovers plagued the Flames in the later stages of the first quarter.  Empty possessions allowed Bradley to go on an 8-0 run that extended into the second quarter.  Gabryelle Johnson made a three pointer from the top of the key to end the run and start a comeback.
• Kienya Jones made a contested layup as the Flames continued to chip away at their deficit, which had been as high as 10 points.  A Catera Etheridge jumper, followed by a steal-and-score by Brittany Byrd, brought UIC to within four points and forced the Braves to call timeout.
• Byrd swished a high arcing three pointer late in the first half to make it 26-23.

Second Half Highlights

• Gabryelle Johnson gave the Flames a spark on both ends of the court as the third quarter commenced.  She made back-to-back layups to cut the deficit to one, and then drew a charge to give UIC possession.
• Baskets by Catera Etheridge and Johnson again tied the game twice, but Bradley would build up a lead in the final minutes of the third quarter.  Byrd and Nneji would each make a layup to keep the Flames within reach, but a double-pump, 28-foot three pointer by Anneke Schlueter at the buzzer put Bradley up by six heading into the fourth quarter.
• Bradley scored the first 10 points of the fourth period.  By the time Taylor Toney made two free throws following an aggressive drive to the rim, only 2:15 remained and Bradley was up by 14.
• A late run developed as UIC continued to be aggressive, drawing fouls and disrupting Bradley's offense.  Johnson had a nice spin move on her way to making a layup through contact as the Flames scored eight straight and 10 of the game's last 14 points.

Facts and Figures

• Both teams made 9-of-31 field goals, including two three's, in the first half.  Bradley's five point halftime advantage was built at the free throw line, where they went 8-for-11 in the first 20 minutes.
• Johnson was in foul trouble for the second straight game.  She picked up her second just 2:40 into the game and was on the floor for 21 minutes, yet still led all scorers and tied her career high with 13 points
• Afforded more playing time with Johnson off the floor, Jada Nneji logged 13 minutes and scored four points, had four steals, and blocked a shot – all season highs for the freshman.
• Bradley's Chelsea Brackmann had 15 rebounds, a single-game high for any UIC opponent this season.
• The Flames were efficient at the free throw line, where they set a season high by making 80% of their shots.  But they only attempted 15 foul shots to Bradley's 30 (the Braves made 20).
• Brittany Byrd had nine points and eight rebounds.  Taylor Toney had six boards and Teodora Zagorac had five.

Up Next

• The Flames return home on Wednesday, Dec. 6.
• They will welcome Indiana Northwest to UIC Pavilion for a 4:00 pm start.