Dec. 31, 2011

Box Score

MILWAUKEE - Four players scored in double-figures to lead UIC to a 67-41 victory over the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball team Saturday afternoon at the Klotsche Center. Jasmine Bailey highlighted the win with a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds, adding six assists, three blocks and four steals.

Junior Sami Tucker led Milwaukee with 13 points and seven rebounds. Sophomore Angela Rodriguez was the only other player in double-figures with 10.

Sophomore Courtney Lindfors chipped in with seven points, eight rebounds and a pair of blocks, with freshman Ashley Green adding seven points and seven rebounds.

"We just could not find any sort of rhythm offensively," UWM head coach Sandy Botham said. "We struggled. It was a tale of two teams - every shot went in for them and we couldn't find the bottom of the basket. Credit them, we had some looks around the basket that they got their hands on and got a piece of, but we couldn't knock down a perimeter shot."

The Panthers (4-8, 0-2 Horizon League) could not overcome a cold day from the floor and hot three-point shooting by the Flames (8-5, 1-1 Horizon League). UIC would shoot 64.3 percent (9-of-14) from three-point range, the second-highest percentage by an opponent in a single game in UWM program history.

Up 13 at the start of the second half, UIC extended its advantage to 20 by the midway mark and the Panthers would get no closer from there.

An impressive first half from the field sent the Flames on their way. Bailey poured in 15 in the first half as UIC made 50 percent (11-of-22) of its shots before halftime, including an impressive 6-of-8 from three-point range.

"I think she (Bailey) just took the game into her hands," Botham said. "She had that will to win and was making plays from driving to the three. She's really expanded her game and there is a reason why she was picked first team all-conference. She did what UIC needed her to do."

Bailey made five of seven from the field in the half, including all three three's she attempted, with Taylor Fouls also adding a 3-for-4 performance from long range.

A slow start both ways, Tucker's layup at the 14:27 mark made it 6-6 before UIC went on a 9-2 run that gave it a 15-8 cushion in a span of about five minutes of game time. A three-pointer by Rodriguez got UWM back within four at 15-11, but Bailey would sink back-to-back three-pointers and then tack on a pair of free throws to score eight consecutive for her team. That pushed the lead back to 10 and it eventually grew to 13 at intermission at 33-20.

UIC ended the contest an even 50 percent in each half, going 26-of-52 in the game. The Flames also won the rebounding battle, 45-26 and blocked six shots. The Panthers ended the day at a 25 percent (13-of-52) clip from the floor and had just 13 turnovers, while forcing 21, and blocked five shots of their own.

Milwaukee is off until Jan. 7, closing out the homestand against nationally-ranked Green Bay. Tip off is set for 12:30 p.m.