NORMAL, ILL. – UIC Women's Basketball (15-13, 7-10 MVC) went down to the wire against Illinois State (20-7, 14-3 MVC) Thursday night, but came up short in the end, 66-55.
The Flames were led offensively by
Jaida McCloud, who scored 23 points and had seven rebounds.
Josie Filer and
Ky Dempsey-Toney each netted nine points apiece.
COACHES COMMENT
"I thought it was a two-possession game most of the way, and in the fourth quarter, they (Illinois State) kind of broke loose with that three-pointer from Mary Crompton and a trail three from Katie Bullman and we had a hard time recovering from that," Flames head coach
Ashleen Bracey said.
FIRST HALF
- The Flames started off with an early lead in the first from a three-pointer from Jaida McCloud and a jumper from Tiana Jackson to begin the game.
- In the closing seconds of the first quarter, the Redbirds led 14-11 when Sara Zabrecky shot a three-pointer to cut Illinois State's led to two. That was Zabrecky's team-leading 43rd three-pointer of the season.
- After the Redbirds went on an early 8-0 run, the Flames shot their best quarter of the half, shooting 66.7 % in the field.
- Jaida McCloud reached double figures in the first twenty minutes, scoring 11 of her 23 points. She has now scored more than 10 points in the last nine consecutive games for the Flames.
SECOND HALF
- The Flames won their first quarter of the game offensively in the third, outscoring the Redbirds, 15-13.
- Big contribution to a strong third quarter was UIC's work at the foul line. They shot 9-for-12 in the entire quarter, and 14-for-22 in the game.
- Trailing 45-41, the Flames continued to battle the Redbirds in the fourth quarter but were outscored 21-14 in the last ten minutes of the game.
CONFERENCE STANDINGS
- UIC remains in sixth place in the Missouri Valley Conference. After Thursday, the Flames are once again tied with Southern Illinois (10-16, 7-10)
- Murray State and Evansville remain one game behind at 6-11 in the MVC.
- The Salukis are scheduled to compete against Evansville Saturday afternoon.
JOSIE AND JAIDA'S JOURNEY TO 1,000
- Josie's performance against Illinois State now has her 23 points away from 1,000 career points in her collegiate career. She has scored in double figures in 19 games this season for UIC.
- Jaida is only 26 points away from 1,000 career points in her third season with the Flames. She now leads the Flames in scoring with 12.2 PPG.
UIC conclude its two-week road trip against Bradley (3-25, 0-17 MVC) on Saturday, tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
