CLEVELAND – Sophomore Jada Nneji blocked a career-high nine to tie the single-game block record, but the Flames (2-13, 0-4 HL) were unable to come up with a win against Cleveland State (6-9, 3-1 HL) on Saturday afternoon, 71-53. Nneji also led the team with career-highs in points (18) and rebounds (13) for her first career double-double.

First Half Highlights

• The Vikings scored the first six off a pair of short jumpers and two free throws, until Kienya Jones got the Flames on the board with a jumper of her own, 6-2.
• Another score from Jones and a free throw from Brittany Byrd put UIC within one, but the home team retaliated on its next possession with a three, 9-5.
• Jones fought through the defense for another bucket, and a steal from Abreanna Lake was turned in for two, putting the Flames back within one, 12-11. Jada Nneji stuffed the Vikings on their next possession, which UIC took over and cashed in for its first lead, 13-12.
• Cleveland State got back on top after a pair of free throws, but Byrd swiped the ball and got it to Lake, who tricked the defense with a sneaky handoff under the hoop to Jones, putting UIC ahead at the end of the first, 15-14.
• The Vikings went up by two after another three-pointer, but Jones came through again to tie it at 19. Nneji put up the block on Cleveland State's next two attempts and took care of business on the offensive end alongside Byrd, giving the Flames a 7-0 run and a 24-19 advantage.
• UIC committed a pair of turnovers in the final minutes of the first half, but the Vikings would only score two from the free-throw line, 28-23.

Second Half Highlights

• Cleveland State came out fighting in the second half, taking back the lead with a 7-1 run to start, 30-29. Another seven unanswered points by the Vikings grew the lead, 39-32.
• Cleveland State continued to turn up the offense, eventually leading by 10, 45-35, but Jones and Nneji fought to keep the Flames alive, scoring UIC's next six points to cut the lead in half, 46-41.
• The final quarter started with a 13-2 run for the home team to extend its lead, 60-43. The Flames were unable to build a comeback, falling 71-53.

Facts & Figures

• Kienya Jones also had a career day, matching Nneji's 18 points for a career-high of her own. The senior also posted career-highs in rebounds (6), steals (3) and assists (2). Jones was the Flames' most efficient shooter, making eight of her 11 field goal attempts.
• Jada Nneji's nine blocks matches the single-game record, tying Valerie O'Neill's Jan. 19, 1992 record, which also came against Cleveland State.
• Brittany Byrd was also in double figures with 14 points for the Flames. Byrd also rebounded four and handed out a pair of assists.
• Abreanna Lake dished out a game-high and season-high five assists, while also bringing down a season-high four rebounds.
• The Flames shot 40.6 percent in the first half compared to 28.1 percent in the second half. UIC finished the day making 34.4 percent of all its shots, while Cleveland State made 32.9 percent.
• The Vikings outrebounded the Flames 58-36, led by 15-rebound efforts by Savanna Crockett and Mariah Miller.
• UIC held the advantage in the paint, 34-28, but the Vikings had the edge off turnovers, 20-15. Both teams ended the day with 16 miscues.
• The two teams were relatively even in second-chance points, 11-10 CSU, but UIC's bench held a sizable advantage, 20-4.

Up Next

• The Flames return home to Credit Union 1 Arena to face Oakland on Friday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. CT.