CHICAGO – The UIC women's basketball team (17-14, 8-11) ended Missouri Valley conference play with a win Saturday afternoon against Murray State (14-15, 7-13 MVC), 65-58.
The Flames were led offensively by
Jaida McCloud, who scored 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for her third double-double of the season.
Josie Filer scored 15 points and had eight rebounds in the game.
COACHES COMMENT
"I'm just so appreciative of them (Filer & Jackson) for just believing in us and the UIC vision," Head coach
Ashleen Bracey said in response to her two seniors,
Josie Filer and
Tiana Jackson on Senior Day.
FIRST HALF
- The Flames started the game strong shooting 43% in the first quarter, taking an early lead after the first ten minutes, 17-13.
- Midway through the second, Jaida McCloud scored her seventh point on a lay-up and surpassing 1,000 points in her collegiate career. She finished the half scoring 10 of her () points and grabbing six of her () rebounds.
- After regaining the lead at the end of the first quarter, the Flames kept the lead for the entirety of the second. The Racers cut into a Flames eight-point lead late in the quarter to cut their lead down to three. UIC head into halftime with a 32-29 lead.
- 18 of UIC's 32 points in the half came from its work in the paint. They outscored Murray State in the paint, 18-12.
SECOND HALF
- The third quarter resulted in 11 lead changes throughout the ten minutes, with the Flames leading as high seven points at one point. UIC held onto a two-point lead going into the fourth quarter, 43-41.
- In the second half, junior Sara Zabrecky sank two of her three three-pointers in the game, finishing up with nine points in the game. Zabrecky finished the season with a team-leading 50 three pointers.
- The Flames finished the game with a 21-point fourth quarter to secure the win. Eight of those points came from their work on the free throw line, going 8-for-13 in the quarter.
- Senior Tiana Jackson earned her fifth assist in the closing seconds of the game, finding fellow senior Josie Filer for her 13th point of the game, tying her season high. She has reached this mark for the fourth time this season.
HOOPS IN THE HEARTLAND
- After this win, the Flames secured the sixth seed heading into Hoops in the Heartland next week in Moline, Ill.
- The Flames will face No. 11 Valparaiso (7-22, 5-15 MVC) in the opening round on Thursday, Mar. 9. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m.
- Games will be available to stream on ESPN+ and tickets are available at MVCSports.com.
