Jan. 14, 2006

Box Score

CHICAGO - Host Illinois-Chicago drilled six three-pointers in a decisive 24-7 second-half run and claimed a 73-51 win over Loyola this afternoon at the UIC Pavilion. The Ramblers fall to 1-15 (1-4 Horizon) while the Flames improve to 7-8 (3-1).

"It was frustrating out there today," said junior Emily Ponder. "When all five players on the court play together, like we did against Cleveland State, good things happen and we did not play together today. It seemed like they (UIC) did not come out sharp but we were even flatter. We had an opportunity to win this game in the second half and we squandered it."

For the second consecutive game, Loyola found itself in an early hole as UIC raced out to a 15-4 lead on a Krystal Hugelier three-point play. Danielle Lonie scored inside to stem the tide and Marquise Hanser scored seven points in an 11-2 Rambler run that pulled them within two, 17-15, at the 5:04 mark. After UIC rebuilt the lead to seven, Lonie converted a three-point play of her own with 2:04 left to cut it to four and neither team scored the rest of the way.

Loyola pulled within two on a pair of occasions in the early part of the second half but the Flames had an answer each time and they caught fire from the arc to put the game out of reach. After Jenna Real scored inside to pull LU within 31-28, Chrissy Dizon got UIC's run started with a three-pointer. Hugelier added a pair of treys in the spurt that ended with the Ramblers facing a 55-35 deficit at the 10:28 mark and they would get no closer than 17 the rest of the way.

Lonie put together one of the best games of her career, hitting 8-of-12 field goals en route to her 17 points. She was joined in double figures by Hanser (11 points) and Real (10 points, six assists). Dizon poured in a game-high 20 points to lead the Flames.

Loyola returns to action next Wednesday night when it travels to Indianapolis, Ind. to face Butler. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT from Hinkle Fieldhouse.