Women’s basketball opens season vs. Bradley

Ruvanna Campbell scored 22 points and had 17 rebounds in UIC’s 71-60 exhibition victory against St. Xavier. Photo: Steve Woltmann

After an exhibition win last week, the women’s basketball team opens the regular season Friday against Bradley at 7 p.m. in the UIC Pavilion.

UIC defeated St. Xavier, 71-60, in its lone exhibition contest Nov. 4 at the Pavilion.

The Flames never trailed and led by as many as 23 in the second half. UIC dominated the boards with 21 offensive rebounds and 19 second-chance points. The Flames’ defense flustered the Cougars as UIC scored 25 points off 21 St. Xavier turnovers.

Juniors Terri Bender (23 points) and Ruvanna Campbell (22 points) combined for 45 of UIC’s 71 points. Bender corralled five rebounds and had four assists and four steals. Campbell picked up a double-double with 17 rebounds, including eight on the offensive end. Campbell dished out a team-high five assists.

Senior Gisselle Truiett had six points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Junior Caitlin Garant added eight points, three rebounds and two assists in 23 minutes of action.

The Flames held the Cougars to 9-of-25 shooting in the first half and forced eight turnovers.

Bender scored seven straight points early in the second half to give the Flames their largest lead of the contest, 49-26, with 15:06 left in the game. St. Xavier went on a 24-10 run over the next 11 minutes to trim the Flames’ lead to 59-50 with less than three minutes remaining.

UIC hit eight free throws down the stretch to prevent a St. Xavier comeback. Campbell and Bender combined for the Flames’ final 12 points.