Kristian Young set a career high with 15 points, and
Jaida McCloud scored 24 points, just two off her career high, in UIC's 74-64 loss to Cleveland State Saturday afternoon. The Flames won the turnover battle for the second straight game, but the Vikings rode advantages at the free throw line and on the glass to the win.
The Flames had the lead after one quarter. Cleveland State ramped up the defensive pressure and led by as many as 20 in the fourth quarter. For the second time in as many Horizon League games, UIC mounted a rally, and got to within seven. Despite their best efforts on the defensive end, where four players had at least two steals each, they dropped their third straight to start the season.
First Quarter Notes
- Keona Schenck ignited the Flames from the tip with consecutive 3-pointers. The second came after she forced a turnover in the backcourt and made a nice move to shake her defender on the perimeter.
- Ky Dempsey-Toney had one of her X blocks to initiate a nice sequence of passing that resulted in a Jaida McCloud layup.
- Kristian Young took over late in the quarter. She ripped a rebound away from a Viking and got fouled in the process, and later sank her eighth point of the period to give the Flames their largest lead, 23-18.
Second Quarter Notes
- The Flames started the second quarter with three straight turnovers, but McCloud atoned for the last one with an open-court blocked shot. After the runout, she was rewarded with a layup to put UIC back on top.
- Isabel Gonzalez got her own putback to tie the game at 27, but Cleveland State responded with a 10-2 run to end the quarter. A McCloud layup was UIC's only tally in the last five and a half minutes.
Third Quarter Notes
- The offense ran through McCloud to start the second half. Bailey Lutes lofted a baseline inbounds pass to her, which she tipped into the net, and she got into the lane again later for another bucket.
- Schenck was held scoreless after her nine-point first quarter, but made a difference defensively in the second half. She broke up a pass in transition and had a steal in the halfcourt to give the Flames extra possessions.
- Cleveland State made 12-of-15 free throws in the third period alone to push their lead to 13 points after 30 minutes.
Fourth Quarter Notes
- Defense ignited numerous opportunities down the stretch. A full-court press led to a McCloud interception of an inbound pass, and later to a backcourt turnover courtesy of Justice Gee and Lindsey Rogers.
- Young had a layup and an assist on a Tiana Jackson triple during UIC's comeback.
- The Flames forced 11 turnovers, and scored 10 points following them, in the fourth quarter.
Facts and Figures
- Kristian Young scored a career high 15 points.
- McCloud and Young tied for team high honors in rebounds, with seven each, but Cleveland State won the overall battle on the glass 44-34.
- Young's five assists matched her career high.
- Schenck made three 3-pointers, matching her team-best single game output.
- The Flames made 18-of-29 free throws, setting season highs in attempts and makes. Cleveland State made a living at the line, going 31-for-43 there.
- UIC outscored CSU in the paint, 30-24.
Up Next
- The Flames will return to Chicago for their home opener on Tuesday.
- UIC will host Valparaiso starting at 6:30 on the 23rd.
