Feb. 8, 2003
CHICAGO -Jaysie Chambers recorded a triple-double of 20 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists to lead UIC to an 82-64 win over the Butler women's basketball team on Saturday evening at the UIC Pavilion. The Flames, which shot 60 percent and outscored the Bulldogs 46-33 in the second half, dominated Butler on the boards, 53-35.
Nancy Bowden and Lisa Pryor led Butler (4-17, 2-8 Horizon League) with 11 points apiece, while sophomore Angel Mason chipped in 10. Bowden also recorded a team-high eight assists and six rebounds on the game.
Bowden's three-pointer gave Butler an early 8-4 lead, but the Flames (12-9, 6-4 Horizon League) responded by going on a 16-3 run to take a 20-11 lead with ten minutes remaining in the half.
The Bulldogs began chipping away at the lead, as Tiffany Smith's three-pointer kick-started a 11-1 Butler run. It was Smith's first game back in action since suffering a stress fracture to her right leg seven games ago.
A pair of Nikki Budgake free throws, followed by a long-range shot at the top of the key by Stephanie Boeke gave Butler a 27-24 edge at 4:05. Chrissy Dizon answered with a three-pointer of her own on the ensuing possession, and the Flames scored the next five points to pull ahead 32-27. Butler was able to cut the margin to three, but Dizon hit a layup with six seconds remaining to send the Flames into halftime with a 36-31 advantage.
Chambers scored seven of her team's first nine points in the second half to propel the Flames to a 47-36 lead with 16:00 left to play. Jessica Monaco's trey at 15:12 cut Butler's deficit to 47-11, but UIC quickly built a comfortable lead up again, as six straight points by Chambers gave the hosts a 60-46 edge with 11:47 remaining. UIC's lead got up to as much as 82-58 before the Flames put in the reserves.
LeKesha Williams led all players with 23 points and Tina Thompson also scored in double-figures for UIC, finishing with 10.
Butler struggled with its shots all game, shooting 34.5 percent (20-58) from the field and 59.3 percent (16-27) from the line.
Butler will return home to host league foe Loyola on Thursday (Feb. 13) at 7 p.m. The game will be televised locally by WTBU.