Women’s team beats Bluejays in exhibition game

Caitlin Garant scored 20 points. Photo: Steve Woltmann

The women’s basketball team went on a 29-9 run to finish the first half and ultimately pulled away for a 94-63 victory over Elmhurst College in an exhibition game Saturday at the UIC Pavilion.

The team opens its season at 7 p.m. Friday versus St. Xavier at the UIC Pavilion.

UIC collected 25 steals against Elmhurst, including 17 in the first half. The Flames forced 42 Bluejay turnovers. UIC shot 54 percent from the field and 46 percent from three-point land.

Sophomore center Caitlin Garant led all players with 20 points, including 12 in the second half.

Four other Flames were in double figures: sophomore Terri Bender (18), senior Emily Kobel (16), freshman Melita Emanuel-Carr (13) and senior Katie Hannemann (13).

Bender had a solid all-around performance, recording seven steals, five assists and four rebounds. She shot 6-of-9 from the field, including 2-of-2 from beyond the arc. Kobel hit three treys and added four steals.

Hannemann, who only played 12 minutes, scored 11 of her 13 points in the first half.