Second-half surge propels women’s basketball to win

Imani Moore takes a shot. The Flames host Central Michigan Friday at the UIC Pavilion after beating Illinois State on the road Monday night. Photo: Steve Woltmann

UIC (3-1) needed a second-half rally to run past Illinois State (1-2) Monday night at Redbird Arena, 74-65.

UIC plays at home this week, hosting Central Michigan at 3 p.m. Friday at the Pavilion.

UIC started slow Monday night, committing 10 turnovers while shooting 3-16 (19 percent) in the first period before rebounding with an 8-5 run in the second period to tie the game at 17. UIC took its first lead at 21-19 on a jumper by Kendyl Nunn with 3:52 remaining in the first half, but went 0-7 down the stretch and trailed 22-21 at halftime.

In the second half, the Flames used an attacking defense and opened with an 8-0 run to take a 35-29 advantage.

“I thought our trapping defense hurt them, which triggered our fast-break offense and led to easy baskets in transition,” head coach Regina Miller said.

Cate Soane (10 points) and Kendyl Nunn (19 points) provided the spark as UIC shot 67 percent (10-15) and outscored Illinois State 27-16 in the period. The Flames increased their lead to 54-38 with a 35-9 run early in the fourth period.

“Kendyl came off the bench and gave us a great lift,” Miller said. “She is a natural scorer that absorbs contact and scores around the basket. She was the difference.”

The Flames had four players score in double figures, led by Ruvanna Campbell with 26 points and 13 rebounds. Campbell scored 22 of her 26 points in the second half to pass Jaysie Chambers for 11th place all-time on the UIC career scoring list. She needs four points to move into 10th place.