Women’s basketball sweeps Michigan trip

Ruvanna Campbell grabbed a career-high 21 boards Saturday. Photo: Steve Woltmann

The women’s basketball team (13-4, 2-2 Horizon League) evened its conference record Saturday with a 78-65 road win over Oakland (7-10, 2-2) at the Athletics Center O’rena in Rochester, Mich.

The team defeated Detroit, 83-67, Thursday to sweep its road games in Michigan.

The Flames host Cleveland State at 3 p.m. Saturday at the UIC Pavilion.

Rachel Story scored a game-high 25 points against Oakland to lead four Flames in double figures.

UIC’s 13-4 overall record is the program’s best start in the Division I era, which began in 1980.

“The win was a solid team effort in a challenging environment,” head coach Regina Miller said. “Oakland’s gym offers a few challenges for opposing shooters and we struggled the last time we played here in 2011. We shot much better in the first half but Ruvanna and Katie’s effort on the offensive glass allowed us to retain the lead after halftime.”

Ruvanna Campbell grabbed a career-high 21 rebounds to go along with 16 points. Campbell’s performance was her League-leading 10th double-double of the season. Her 21 rebounds are the fifth highest nationally in a single game this season and the fourth best in program history. She collected nine offensive rebounds, including seven in the second half.

Katie Hannemann picked up her fifth double-double this season and 10th of her career with 15 points and 14 rebounds.

Sophomore guard Terri Bender contributed 11 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals.

Story was 7-of-12 from the field, including 3-of-6 from beyond the arc, and a 8-of-8 from the free throw line.

UIC out-rebounded Oakland, 57-36, and collected a season-high 24 offensive rebounds.