Women’s basketball on a roll with seventh straight win

Videography by Jeffron Boynes

The women’s basketball team (7-2) won its seven consecutive game Wednesday,  71-61, at Western Michigan (3-6).

Rachel Story scored a game-high 25 points to lead the Flames. Katie Hannemann (15 points and seven rebounds) and Ruvanna Campbell (13 points and 15 rebounds) had strong games inside the paint.

The Flames’ 7-2 record matches the 2001-02 squad for the best nine-game start in the Division I era. It is UIC’s first seven-game win streak since 2007.

UIC and WMU both shot 36.7 percent from the field (22-of-60) but the Flames held a 26-to-13 advantage in made free throws. UIC out-rebounded WMU, 47-37, and held a 13-7 advantage in second-chance points. The Flames scored 12 points off 14 Bronco turnovers.

WMU led, 15-14, with 9:46 remaining in the first half before UIC went on an 11-2 run to take a 25-17 lead with 5:43 left in the half. Alex Morton’s layup with 1:47 before halftime cut the Flames’ lead to 31-25 at the break.

WMU got within one on A.J. Johnson’s three-pointer with 18:29 left in the game but Story scored 17 of UIC’s 40 second-half points as the Flames pulled away for their fourth straight win over the Broncos. Two free throws from Campbell at 2:11 gave the Flames their largest lead at 62-50. UIC hit 18-of-26 free throws in the second half.

Story was 7-of-13 from the field and a career-high 11-of-15 from the charity stripe. In the second half, she was 5-of-6 from the field and 7-of-11 from the line.

Story now owns three 20-point efforts this season and 14 in her UIC career. She has been in double-figures in 10 straight contests dating back to last season and the Flames are undefeated (7-0) with Story in the lineup this season.

Hannemann was 5-of-9 from the field and 5-of-7 from the line. She has been in double-figures in eight consecutive contests. Hannemann, who had nine second-half points, collected two steals against the Broncos.

Campbell, who recorded her conference-leading seventh double-double, has been in double-figures in every game this season. She added three assists, two blocks and two steals. Her eight points and eight rebounds led UIC offensively in the first half.

Sophomore Terri Bender added seven points, seven rebounds, three assists and two of UIC’s six steals. Senior Emily Kobel contributed six points and five rebounds.

UIC travels to Madison, Wis., Saturday for a 5 p.m. match at the UW Field House.

A win would be the best 10-game start (8-2) in the Division I era. UIC started 9-1 twice (1976-77 and 1977-78) before becoming a Division I program for the 1980-81 season.