CHICAGO – Led by a pair of freshmen, the UIC women's basketball team (3-18, 2-8 HL) picked up its second Horizon League win of the season on Thursday evening, defeating Youngstown State (11-10, 4-6 HL), 59-53. Freshman Kimeira Burks led all scorers with a career high 20 points, followed closely by fellow freshmen Tiana Jackson with a personal-best 18 points.

Senior Tylah Lampley also finished in double-digits for UIC with 12 points, marking the second time this season that three Flames finished in double figures.

The win was UIC's first over Youngstown State since Feb. 27, 2015, snapping a nine-game losing streak against the Penguins.  

First Half Highlights

• An early back-and-forth battle became a 16-5 lead for the Flames after a 12-0 run. Five Flames contributed in the streak, including Jada Nneji, Abreanna Lake, Kimeira Burks, Tiana Jackson and Tylah Lampley.
• The Flames maintained control through the first quarter, taking an 18-7 lead after the first 10 minutes.
• Youngstown State began chipping away at the lead, taking five unanswered points at the start of the second quarter, 18-12. Kimeira Burks ended the Penguins' streak, but another nine unanswered allowed them to take over the lead, 21-20.
• A Burks trey tied the game at 23, but a Youngstown State layup in the final minute proved to be the difference maker at the half, 25-23.

Second Half Highlights

• The second half started with a five-minute scoring drought on both sides, until another triple off the hands of Burks put the Flames ahead, 26-25. Youngstown State answered with a steal and a layup, but back-to-back scores for UIC put it back in the lead, 30-27.
• The Penguins tied the game at 30 with a three, which was broken by a short-range jumper from Lampley, 32-30. The final minutes of the period were another back-and-forth battle, ending with a one-point lead for the visitors, 35-34.
• A pair of freebies from Jackson and a big three from Burks sparked a 7-0 streak for UIC at the start of the fourth, 41-35.
• The Penguins converted a three-point play to cut the lead in half, 41-38. Jackson was able to get two points back for the Flames, but Youngstown State took them right back at the free throw line, 43-40.
• Jackson once again extended the lead with a pair of three-point conversions, 52-46. Youngstown State came within three after a trey, 52-49, but it was Jackson once again who made the reply for the Flames, 54-49.
• The Penguins were able to come within one possession, 54-52, but were unable to capitalize on late fouls, as the Flames came away with the 59-53 victory.

Up Next

• The Flames will play host to Cleveland State on Saturday, Feb. 1.

Game Recap


Highlights