The UIC Flames (4-19, 1-11 HL) will hit the road for the first time in over three weeks for a two game swing through Kentucky and Ohio. Thursday afternoon, they will take on Northern Kentucky (7-16, 3-8 HL) and shoot for their first ever win over the Norse.
UIC concluded a five game homestand with a thrilling yet disappointing loss to Youngstown State in overtime Saturday. The Flames scored the last five points of regulation to force the extra period, capped by a
Terri Bender putback with 22 seconds left. The game featured runs and momentum swings on both sides, but neither team led by more than six points until the final minute. UIC shot 53% in the fourth quarter but made just two of eight shots in OT. They also missed three free throws in the final five minutes after making 100% from the line in regulation.
Bender dazzled all night long, with a variety of moves and sharp passing. She scored a season high 17 points, handed out 8 assists, and added four rebounds and three steals. She also drew the defensive assignment on Indiya Benjamin, and pressured her into committing as many turnovers (5) as she had assists. Bender earned an honorable mention for Horizon League Player of the Week for her efforts.
Brittany Byrd scored 10 points, returning to double figures for the first time in three games. UIC took much better care of the basketball than in earlier stretches of the schedule. The Penguins had just four steals, tying a season low for Flames opponents. The Flames forced a conference-play high 23 turnovers, and the 53 points they allowed in regulation would have represented a conference low.
Though the Flames are just 1-3 in their last four games (including a loss to Northern Kentucky), two of the losses were their closest games in Horizon League play. The team averaged 10.3 steals over those games and allowed just 61.5 points per game, after giving up 81.1 points over the first eight conference games.
The 58-37 loss to the Norse on Jan. 22 was UIC's worst shooting performance in Horizon League play, and their lowest total offensive output of the season. The Norse's Casey Uetrecht scored a season high 24 points and made four three-pointers. It was NKU's third straight win over UIC since the Norse joined the Horizon League last season. Since the Flames have been in the conference, no new member has beaten them more than three straight times at the outset of the new conference rivalry.
Northern Kentucky has lost three straight games since that encounter with UIC, most recently a 67-47 setback at Wright State Saturday. Uetrecht and Kelley Wiegman had 12 points apiece to pace the squad. Rebecca Lyttle, who is third in conference rebounding, had 14 boards. NKU is 1-4 at home in Horizon League play. The team is 10th in the conference in scoring and in turnover margin, and 9th in rebounding.
The game will be just UIC's second trip to Highland Heights, and only their fourth game ever in the commonwealth of Kentucky. The Flames are 0-3 in the Bluegrass State, with losses coming at Western Kentucky and Murray State in addition to Northern Kentucky last season.
Thursday's contest will be televised on ESPN3, and live stats will also be provided. See the blue box above for links for both, and be sure to for additional updates.
