CHARLESTON, ILL. – A strong fight proved not enough on Wednesday afternoon as the UIC women's basketball team (0-1) dropped its season opener to in-state rival Eastern Illinois (1-0), 82-71. The young Flames squad saw four of its freshmen finish in double figures, led by a 19-point effort from Jaida McCloud in her collegiate debut.

UIC contended well with the Panthers, closing nearly every gap and eventually taking a lead in the early stages of the second half, but a few late runs from Eastern Illinois proved too much for the Flames, who ultimately fell short.

First Half Highlights

• Eastern Illinois took an early 4-0 lead, but Jaida McCloud put the Flames within one thanks to a free throw and a layup, 4-3.
• McCloud laid up another in between seven points for the Panthers, 11-5, until Kristian Young was able to put the Flames one bucket away with a jumper and a layup, 11-9.
• A 6-0 run for Eastern Illinois gave it a 17-9 lead, but the Flames once again pulled within striking distance after a Keona Schenck steal was returned for two, 17-16.
• A pair of threes for the Panthers created some space to finished out the first quarter, 23-16.
• Eastern Illinois added to its lead at the start of the second quarter, 26-16, but a long three from Schenck cut at the lead, 26-19.
• A panther three put their advantage back at 10, 31-21, but another UIC three, this one from Young, once again slashed the lead, 31-25.
• The Panthers picked up a layup, but the Flames battled, rattling off a 6-0 run that culminated in a Tiana Jackson three, 33-31.
• The threes continued to come for the Flames, as another triple from Schenck kept UIC in striking distance, 35-34.
• Free throws from both sides finished out the first half with a 37-35 lead for Eastern Illinois.

Second Half Highlights

• UIC quickly grabbed its first lead of the game with a 5-0 run in the first 43 seconds of the second half, 40-37, but EIU put up a trey to tie the game at 40.
• A three pointer and a layup from Lindsey Rogers put the Flames' lead back at three, 45-42, but the lead changed hands again after five unanswered points from the Panthers, 47-45.
• McCloud tied the game at 47, but the threes continued, this time on Eastern Illinois' side, 50-47.
• McCloud and Schenck combined to put UIC back on top, 51-50, until the Panthers were able to pull ahead with a 6-0 run, 56-51.
• Jackson's second three of the day put the Flames within two, 56-54, but the Panthers took all three points back in the next 20 seconds, 59-54.
• Free throws once again finished out the frame, as the third quarter clock ran out with a 61-55 advantage for Eastern Illinois.
• The Panthers went on a 9-4 run at the start of the fourth quarter to grow their lead, 70-59, but Jada Nneji and McCloud combined for a 6-0 streak for the Flames to put them back within five, 70-65.  
• EIU pushed its lead to eight with just under two minutes under the clock, 78-70, proving too much ground for the Flames to cover, as they would eventually fall 82-71.

Facts & Figures

• UIC's freshmen made up the majority of its scoring, as four first-year Flames finished the game in double figures. UIC only had four players reach double-digits only once last year – Jan. 4, 2020 against Oakland.
• Jaida McCloud led all scorers with 19 points behind 58.3 percent (7-of-12) shooting. She also added seven rebounds and a trio of steals in her Flames debut.
• Kristian Young followed with 12 points in her first game as a Flame, while Keona Schenck (10 points) and Lindsey Rogers (10 points) also finished with double-digit totals in their collegiate debuts.
• Tiana Jackson and Jada Nneji were both on the cusp of double figures, bringing in nine points apiece. Nneji was also in double-double territory, leading the Flames with nine rebounds.
• McCloud and Jackson led UIC with five assists each. Jackson's five assists matches her personal best.
• The Flames held a slight advantage in shooting, making 42.2 percent (27-of-64) of their shots overall compared to the Panthers' 41.5 percent (27-of-65). UIC also finished on top beyond the arc, sinking 37.5 percent (6-of-16) of their longballs while the Panthers put in 32.1 percent (9-of-28).
• Missed opportunities at the free throw line plagued the Flames, as they shot 39.3 percent (11-of-28) from the charity stripe, while Eastern Illinois made 79.2 percent (19-of-24) of its freebies.  
• The Panthers had the advantage in rebounds, 52-31.
• UIC committed 13 turnovers and cashed in 14 points off 19 Panther miscues. The Flames' 13 turnovers matched their season low from 2019-20 campaign.
• The Flames proved tougher in the paint, outscoring the Panthers 34-28. UIC also scored more off the fast break, 8-7, but EIU's bench outscored the Flames' reserves, 20-11.

Up Next

• UIC will continue its season-opening road series at Eastern Michigan on Sunday, Nov. 29.
• Tipoff is set for 12 p.m. CT on ESPN3.