Flames seek fourth win in a row in contest against Northwestern

Terri Bender scored a game-high 21 points against Miami. Photo: Steve Woltmann

The women’s basketball team (3-0) seeks its fourth win today at Northwestern (3-0).

UIC kept its undefeated streak alive Saturday with a 72-69 victory at Miami Ohio (1-1). Saturday’s contest featured 12 ties and 16 lead changes. UIC forced 30 turnovers and scored 24 points off Miami’s miscues. The Flames collected 15 offensive rebounds and scored 10 second-chance points.

“I am proud of how we continued to fight back into the game,” UIC head coach Regina Miller said. “We fell behind late but never lost focus. Our juniors made clutch plays down the stretch against a very talented Miami team. “Tight road wins like these are momentum builders and we look to keep that momentum rolling.”

Redshirt junior Ruvanna Campbell had 16 points and 18 rebounds. Campbell, who is averaging 19 rebounds per game, owns 20 consecutive double-figure rebounding performances. She set a career high with seven steals.

Junior Terri Bender scored a game-high 21 points for her fifth career 20-point performance. She was 5-of-11 from the field, 2-of-4 from beyond the arc and 9-of-10 from the free throw line. Bender had five steals.

Junior Caitlin Garant scored 10 points for her second straight double-figure effort.

Miami jumped out to a 16-8 lead before a 13-2 run by UIC gave the Flames a three-point lead (21-18). The teams exchanged baskets and went into halftime tied at 37.

UIC scored the first four points of the second half. Miami rallied to tie the score at 46. The second half featured three more ties, until the Flames took control of the contest with two free throws by Bender and two baskets by Campbell.

UIC led, 69-64, with 2:10 left and made three free throws to hold on for the 72-69 victory.