Women’s basketball team hits five-game streak

Katie Hannemann scored 19 points and pulled down 12 rebounds Saturday to help UIC pull away with its fifth consecutive win. Photo: Steve Woltmann

UIC women’s basketball looks for its sixth consecutive victory Saturday when the Flames play at Butler Saturday morning.

The win would give UIC its first six-game win streak since 2007.

The Flames earned a 70-66 victory over Texas Southern (3-4) Nov. 30 to conclude the San Juan Shootout.

Katie Hannemann had 19 points and 12 rebounds for her eighth career double-double, Ruvanna Campbell added 15 points and Rachel Story finished with 14 points.

UIC hit 27-of-36 free throws, including 16-of-16 in the first half. The Flames’ 75 percent shooting from the charity stripe ties a season high. UIC had 11 steals and scored 18 points off 20 Texas Southern turnovers.

The Flames held a 47-38 advantage on the glass and improved to 5-1 this season when out-rebounding its opponent.

UIC had 17 offensive rebounds and put back 17 second-chance points while limiting Texas Southern to six second-chance points.

The Flames trailed for much of the first half and was down 30-19 with 4:46 left on the clock. They responded with a 17-4 run — including seven points from Story and four from Hannemann — to end the half, 36-34.

Strong play from Texas Southern’s Jazzmin Parker and Morgan Simmons helped the Lady Tigers take a 55-50 lead with 8:29 remaining in the game before UIC stormed back. Campbell and Hannemann combined for 15 of the Flames’ final 20 points and UIC limited Texas Southern to 11 points the rest of the game.

Hannemann set a season high with 19 points and hit 7-of-8 attempts from the free throw line. She had 13 points on 4-of-11 shooting from the floor in the second half. Hannemann’s seven offensive rebounds ties her career high set against Wright State in February.

Campbell came on strong late in the game, scoring nine points in the final eight minutes. She had 11 points and six rebounds in the second half to finish with 15 points and nine rebounds. Campbell, who has been in double-digits every game this season, also collected three steals.

Story hit 6-of-6 free throws in the first half and entered the break with 10 points. She finished the contest with a team-high three assists and two steals.

Sophomore Terri Bender had four steals and senior Emily Kobel had two. Kobel also collected nine rebounds, one short of her career high.

The Flames received strong play from their reserves as UIC held a 15-11 advantage in points off the bench. Senior Megan Wallace had seven points while sophomore Caitlin Garant added six points and hit 4-of-4 free throws.

UIC hosted Butler in January and dropped an 84-61 decision at the UIC Pavilion. The Bulldogs received 31 points from Daress McClung, who is now a senior.

Saturday’s tip-off is scheduled for 11 a.m. inside Hinkle Fieldhouse