CHICAGO -- UIC (2-4, 1-2 HL) staged a furious comeback at the end of regulation to force an extra period and the Flames capitalized to take down the Detroit Mercy Titans (0-7, 0-3 HL), 76-72, in overtime for their first Horizon League victory of the young season.

UIC's Daijah Smith, making her debut at Credit Union 1 Arena, tallied career highs in scoring with 22 points and nine rebounds. Jada Nneji also neared a double-double with 17 points and eight rebounds. The senior also led all players with four blocks Saturday.

First Half Highlights

• Detroit Mercy scored the first five points before a jumper from Jada Nneji got the Flames on the board, 5-2.
• The Flames caught up and took over the lead after a three from Keona Schenck and a pair of free throws from Daijah Smith, 12-11.
• The Titans replied with five unanswered points to take back the lead, 16-12, but another three, this one from Smith, put UIC within one, 16-15. UIC was eventually able to regain the lead at the free-throw line, 19-17, before another three for Smith in the final seconds of the first quarter would extend their advantage, 22-18.
• Kimeira Burks started off the second quarter with a trey to extend UIC's lead, 25-18, but a 10-3 series for Detroit Mercy over the next five minutes would tie the game at 32.
• The Flames broke the tie with freebies from Jaida McCloud and a jumper from Schenck, but the Titans would lay one up in the final second of the half to put the score at 36-34 at the half.

Second Half Highlights

• Nneji and Smith carried the offensive load for the Flames in the third, scoring all but one of UIC's field goals in the period. Smith's fourth three of the game would give the Flames their biggest lead of the game, 48-40, with just under three minutes remaining in the third quarter.
• A three for the Titans would wrap up the third frame and cut at UIC's lead, 50-46.
• Detroit Mercy was able to tie the game at 50 within the first minute of the fourth, but Keona Schenck fought back for the Flames with a three, 53-50.
• An 8-0 run for the visitors would flip the lead in their favor, 60-55, with 4:10 remaining in the third.
• Trailing by six with 1:40 left in regulation, a layup from Nneji was followed by a three from Kristian Young to bring the lead down to just one, 64-63. A freebie from Nneji at the line with 10 seconds on the clock would tie and force the game in overtime.

Overtime Highlights

• The Titans scored twice in the first 34 seconds of overtime, 68-64, but the Flames went to work, taking the next eight unanswered to take over the lead, 72-68. Another triple from Young at the 1:19 mark culminated the run, which would put UIC up for good.
• A Titan three with 20 seconds on the clock threatened the Flames' lead, 73-72, but UIC's defense was able to keep Detroit Mercy at bay through its final possessions to reel in the 76-72 win.

Facts & Figures

• Four Flames finished in double digits – Daijah Smith (22 points), Jada Nneji (17 pts), Keona Schenck (14 points) and Kristian Young (10 points), marking the fourth time this season UIC has accomplished such a feat.
• Smith's 22 points and nine rebounds were both career highs, while Nneji's 17 points and four blocks were both season highs.
• Nneji brought down eight rebounds for the Flames, while Jaida McCloud finished the day with seven.
• Detroit Mercy had the advantage in rebounds overall, 42-33, while UIC had the edge in assists, 18-17.
• The Titans scored more in the paint, 36-28, as well as on the second chance, 12-9. UIC brought in 24 points off Detroit Mercy's 25 turnovers, while the Titans took 14 from the Flames' 19 miscues.
• UIC's bench outscored Detroit Mercy's, 29-13.

Up Next

• UIC will wrap up its first home series tomorrow at 11 a.m. CT.