Women’s basketball defeats Valparaiso
Terri Bender makes a play against Valparaiso. Photo: Timothy Nguyen/UIC News
The women’s basketball team (14-4, 3-2 Horizon League) won its third straight game Tuesday with a 69-51 home victory over Valparaiso (2-15, 0-4 Horizon League) at the UIC Pavilion.
UIC continues Horizon League play at home Saturday against Cleveland State (8-9, 3-1 Horizon League). The contest begins at 3 p.m. at the UIC Pavilion.
The Flames outscored the Crusaders, 35-15, in the second half and finished the contest on a 19-1 run.
UIC’s 14-4 overall record is the program’s best start in the Division I era (1980-present).
Katie Hannemann scored a game-high 18 points to lead three Flames in double-figures. Ruvanna Campbell (15) and Terri Bender (12) also scored in double-figures for the Flames.
“We did a much better job defensively in the second half,” assistant coach Eric Simpson said. “We were more aggressive on defense after halftime and pressured Valparaiso into some turnovers. Katie and Ruvanna got more touches in the second half and we controlled the play in the paint.”
Valparaiso shot 60 percent from the field in the first half (15-of-25) and led by as many as nine at 36-27 with 1:49 left before halftime. UIC picked up momentum going into the locker room with a 7-0 run to close out the half and narrowed the Crusader lead to 36-34.
UIC took its first lead of the second half (44-42) on Campbell’s jumper with 14:46 remaining. The Crusaders tied the score at 50 with 7:58 left.
Valpo outrebounded UIC (19-15) in the first half but the Flames responded in the second half. UIC held a 30-13 advantage on the boards after halftime to take control of the game. The Flames grabbed 17 offensive rebounds overall and scored 32 points in the paint.
Hannemann was 6-of-8 from the field and 6-of-6 from the free throw line. She scored 14 points in the second half, including six during a 19-1 run. Hannemann has been in double-figures on 14 times this season.
Campbell was 6-of-8 from the field and 3-of-4 from the free throw line in her team-high 17th double-digit scoring effort. She added two blocks on defense and nine points in the first half.
Bender hit 2-of-5 shots from three-point land and 4-of-6 attempts from the charity stripe. She collected her fourth straight double-digit effort. Bender has nine double-figure performances this season.
Senior Megan Wallace was a force inside during her 16 minutes off the bench. She scored seven points, grabbed a game-high nine rebounds, blocked three shots and picked up two steals. It was Wallace’s third three-block performance this season.
