CHICAGO -- The UIC Flames (2-8, 1-4 Horizon) fell in a nail-biter to the Milwaukee Panthers (6-8, 5-2 Horizon), 65-58. This close game was improbable considering the circumstances stacked against the Flames. Due to COVID-19 and injuries, the Flames were able to suit only seven players. The Flames were led by dominant outings from freshman forward
Ky Dempsey-Toney,
Lindsey Rogers, and the Flames leading scorer
Jaida McCloud.
Dempsey-Toney netted a career-high 15 points in Thursday's game. She added three rebounds, two blocks, and a steal in her incredible efforts. This is her second time this season she led the Flames in scoring.
Rogers put up a season-high 14-points in the game, with a majority of her points coming from the free-throw line. The sophomore sharpshooter went 8-10 from the charity stripe, while also collecting seven rebounds on the day.
McCloud put up an astounding 15 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, four steals, and a block against the Panthers. This is the sophomore's second-career double-double and her first of this season. McCloud's incredible output came while shooting 50% from the field and going 6-7 from the foul line.
In the first half of the play, the Flames looked energized out of the tunnel, despite only being able to suit seven on the court. UIC fought against the Panthers, catching them off guard for the majority of the first quarter. The Panthers held a lead, but the Flames stuck with them throughout and never wavered no matter what the score turned out to be. The team's demeanor showed confidence as the Flames went into halftime trailing, 40-34.
The Flames came out into the third quarter fighting tooth and nail to keep the Panthers uncomfortable on offense. UIC forced Milwaukee into tough shots during the entirety of the quarter, as the Panthers shot an abysmal 28% from the field. The Flames managed to score efficiently, managing 16 points on 60% shooting. The battle continued into the fourth, with both teams struggling to score anything. The lead Milwaukee was able to grow in the first two quarters became the deciding factor in the outcome of the game.
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