A dramatic fourth quarter rally saw UIC nearly erase a 12-point deficit to Purdue Fort Wayne.  The Mastodons held on for a 69-63 win, behind a 23-point, 11-rebound performance from Shayla Sellers.  Jaida McCloud led a balanced attack for the Flames, who held several leads throughout the first half, and remained on top late into the third quarter.

The Flames shot 46.7% from the floor, but were outrebounded 38-24.

First Quarter Notes

• Bailey Lutes made a sharp pass to Justice Gee, who sank a 3 to give the Flames their first lead of the game.  Later, Lutes drove and drew a foul, converting both free throws.
• The lane was open early, as Kristian Young and Jaida McCloud each scored on a driving layup.  A balanced Flames offense got another three-ball from Keona Schenck to take a four point lead.
• The flowing first period saw five ties and six lead changes, and fittingly ended in a 17-17 deadlock.

Second Quarter Notes

• Tiana Jackson put her imprint on the game in the second quarter with six points in the period.  Her three-pointer accounted for the team's first points of the quarter.  Later, she missed a free throw but followed it up and forced a jump ball.
• UIC trailed by as many as five points, but rallied behind scoring from Jackson and McCloud.  Schenck made a pair of free throws in the final seconds to give the Flames a 32-30 lead at the break.
• Aggressiveness paid off for UIC in the first half.  They made 11-of-16 free throws, while the Mastodons were a mere 2-for-3.

Third Quarter Notes

• The Mastodons went on a 6-0 run to start the second half.  Undaunted, Kristian Young initiated a rally of her own by drawing a charge, driving for a layup, and using a fake to get herself open for another layup that put the Flames back on top.
• Another run by Purdue Fort Wayne saw them score seven straight points, forcing Tasha Pointer to call timeout.  In the huddle, she drew up a play that worked Schenck open for a 3 that pulled UIC within two.
• McCloud grabbed a steal in the backcourt and turned it into an easy bucket.  Good defense on Purdue Fort Wayne's final possessions kept the Flames within striking distance, 46-43 with 10 minutes to play.

Fourth Quarter Notes

• The Flames were victim to Sellers' shooting as she made three 3-pointers to help her team build a 12 point lead.  Lindsey Rogers made her only bucket of the game, a crucial 3-pointer, to ignite a furious rally over the last two-plus minutes.
• Points off of three straight turnovers – including a charge drawn by Jackson – pulled UIC to within four points.  The Mastodons called timeout to advance the ball, but McCloud stole the inbounds pass.  Young stepped to the line, making one free throw and retaining possession after her second was tipped out of bounds.
• Justice Gee converted a three-point play with 14 seconds remaining, pulling the Flames to within two.  Purdue Fort Wayne made free throws of their own in the final exchanges and escaped with the win.

Facts and Figures

• McCloud (15 points) and Schenck (12) both scored in double digits for the second straight game.  Young had a season high 11.
• Gee's six rebounds paced the team.  Schenck had five steals.
• For the second time in as many games, the Flames forced a negative assist to turnover ratio.  Purdue Fort Wayne had 12 assists and 19 turnovers.
• UIC's bench outscored that of the Mastodons, 25-2.
• The Flames allowed only two fast break points.

Up Next

• The Flames will conclude their brief road trip Saturday.
• A visit to Cleveland State is on tap for a 4 p.m. start.