Loading ...Ill-Chicago at IU women
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by Mike Miller | Monday, December 31, 2012 - 6:55 pm UTC
FINAL: IU 81, UIC 59
Lots to like, not like. Lots of career highs for several Hoosiers, but IU also gave up 43 points in second half while holding Flames’ leading scorer to a season low 2. Rebounds also tilted in UIC’s favor as did points in the paint.
Sinclair finishes with 31 points, McGhee 15 and 10 reb, Bell career best 16 pts, Chaplin 13 pts. IU shoots 46 percent, 10 of 23 on 3s, UIC 32 percent and 3 of 17 on 3s.
SECOND HALF
Hot shooting continues for IU, which will cover up plenty of warts in this one. Sinclair hits 30 points for second time this season. That’s 91 points so far in her last 3 games. IU up 74-54 with 3:52 left this year (2012).
UIC had deficit down to 17, but Bell hits big 3 at 7:40 to push it back to 64-44. But UIC starting to win boards in second half as well. 14th free throw attempt of half coming up for Flames.
Continues to be tail of two halves so far as IU still up 56-38 with 10:51 to go but looking like a few spark plugs got pulled from the engine during the break. UIC 9 of 14 at line in second half. IU post defense non-existant this half.
UIC on the attack this half and a once 32-point lead is down to 18, 54-36, at 12:35. It would be a lot closer, but Flames can’t hit free throws.
FIRST HALF IU 47, UIC 16
Hard to imagine last time IU manhandled a DI foe like that. IU shooting 18 of 40, 6 of 13 on 3s and 5 of 6 at line. Outrebounding Flames 26-29, Taufa with 9, Mc Ghee 6. Scoring, Sinclair with 15 points, McGhee 13, Bell 9, Chaplin 6. IU 13-0 edge in points off turnovers. UIC 11 turnovers to IU’s 4.
UIC 6 of 27, 0 of 6 on 3s, 4 of 7 at line. Katie Hanneman 10 points. Story, who averages 15, 0. Blanket’s been put on her. So far, it’s looking like a great note to end pre-Big Ten slate for Hoosiers.
UIC leading scorer Rachel Story yet to score. Flames 4 of 19 shooting. McGhee’s 9th point makes it 34-9 at 5:45
Run now has IU up 22-4 at 10:49. Hoosiers killing UIC on boards and shooting lights out over Flames’ 2-3 zone.
IU up 12-4 at 15:11 after McGhee 3 and Sinclair jumper.
Sasha Chaplin getting first start of season in place of LInda Rubene, who has not dressed.
PREGAME
Hi, Jim Gordillo, aka ‘Mike Miller’ this evening at Assembly Hall for the ‘other’ IU basketball game on New Year’s Eve.
UIC comes in 4-7 and on a two-game winning ‘streak’ and IU 8-4 and looking to end 2012 on a strong note. The Hoosiers will be without 6-6 sophomore forward Quaneisha McCurty as the university as officially announced the Dalton, Ga. native is seeking a transfer after her recent ‘indefinite suspension.’
“We support and encouraged the decision for Quaneisha to explore transfer options,” IU coach Curt Miller said in a two-sentence press release. “We wish her nothing but the best in her future.”
Flames have a strong local connection in senior Heidi Dahnke from Martinsville. The 6-1 forward has started 8 of 11 games and averages 1.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in 21 minutes.
Just wondering why Linda Rubene did not dress Monday evening, injury? No explanation given. Good to see 4 players in double figures for the first time this year. This balance will be needed if this team is to be competitive at all in the conference this year. Nicole Bell has been a spark this year off the bench. She gives the team an additional outside threat to go along with Sinclair.
MikeC,
Rubene was out with a concussion. Curt Miller discussed it during his postgame press conference.
Thanks Mike, I watched the postgame video of coach Miller on the IU Hoosier website and that particuler comment about Linda was not included on the video. I have been very dissapointed this year on the coach’s postgame remarks on the website, they only show the caoch making a very short opening statement and then don’t include sports writer’s questions and answers. Don’t know why that is?