LAS VEGAS – The UIC women's basketball team (2-9) completed its non-conference schedule with its final game of the South Point Holiday Hoops Classic, taking a 72-57 loss to Jackson State (4-6). The Flames and Tigers were locked in a tight battle until 11 turnovers in the fourth quarter gave JSU the opportunity to push the game in their favor for good.

First Half Highlights

• Four Early fouls committed by the Flames allowed Jackson State three early trips to the line, giving the tigers an 8-6 lead. JSU went on to take four straight to double up on the Flames, 16-8.
• Kiarra Thompson made a fast break jumper to put the Flames behind by six after the first quarter, 17-11.
• UIC kept the Tigers without a field goal through the first three minutes of the second frame, going on a 5-1 to spark a comeback, 18-16.
• The Flames caught up at the 20-point mark off a layup from Brittany Byrd, but the Tigers put one in from downtown in their next possession, 23-20.
• Jackson State put the Flames in bonus, and the Flames were able to take their first lead after a 2-2 showing at the line from Taylor Toney, 26-25. More free throws on both ends finished out the first half, with the Flames still leading by one, 28-27.

Second Half Highlights

• The Tigers tied it early with a free throw, but Tia Tedford sank a three from the left side to put the Flames back ahead, 31-28.
• JSU took six unanswered points to take the lead, 34-32, but Toney and Byrd answered for the Flames, 36-34.
• The tigers went on a 12-3 run as the lead changed hands again, 47-39, but buckets from Toney and Thompson in the final 30 seconds of the quarter left the Flames behind by just four heading into the final 10 minutes.
• Costly turnovers by the Flames gave JSU 11-straight points to start the fourth, burying them in a hole they couldn't fill, 72-57.

Facts & Figures

• The Flames had three players in double figures, led by Brittany Byrd's 19-point appearance. Taylor Toney followed with 13, while Kiarra Thompson contributed 10.
• Byrd was also in double figures in rebounds with 11, marking her second double-double of the season.
• Jada Nneji ended the day one rebound shy of her personal-best, boarding 10 for the Flames.
• Toney and Thompson had five and four rebounds, respectively. The two teams were even in rebounds at 40.
• UIC shot 33.3 percent from the field compared to 42.2 percent by the Tigers.
• JSU was stronger in the paint, 38-22, and capitalized on UIC's season-high 37 turnovers, turning them into 37 points.
• The Flames outscored Jackson State on second chances, 16-11, but the Tigers' bench was better, 24-10.

Up Next

• The Flames open up Horizon League play at home against Northern Kentucky on Friday, Dec. 28 at 7 p.m. CT.