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CHARLESTON, Ill. – Illinois-Chicago pushed the tempo early in the second half Sunday afternoon as the Flames forced a handful of Eastern Illinois turnovers to pull away for a 78-66 win in Lantz Arena.  
 
EIU fell to 3-7 on the season and will play Northwestern in the opening round of the Arizona State Tournament next Saturday at 4:30 p.m.   UIC improved to 7-1 on the year.
 
The Panthers held a 31-29 lead at the half with solid shooting and by protecting the basketball.   Shakita Cox scored 12 of her 20 points in the opening half and EIU turned the ball over just nine times allowing UIC  ten points off turnovers.
 
Cox sank a 3-pointer to open the second half and EIU extended its lead to 34-29 with 19:38 to play.
 
Melita Emanuel-Carr answered with a 3-pointer on the next possession and following the first of 15 second half turnovers by EIU, Terry Bender hit a 3-pointer to give UIC the lead with 17:55 to play.
 
UIC would use a 22-0 run over seven minutes to blow the game open.   EIU turned the ball over 11 times during the UIC run with Bender the primary threat for the Flames scoring 13 of her game high 25 points.   UIC would finish the game with 33 points off turnovers.
 
Jalisha Smith would snap the long scoring drought for EIU with a basket at 13:20.  Smith had four points off the bench as EIU finished with 23 from its bench.  Bh'rea Griffin had 11 and Phylicia Johnson added eight.
 
UIC would extend the lead to as high as 25 points four different times in the second half, the final time with 5:38 to play as Kendyl Nunn had a pair of free throws to put UIC up 74-49. 
 
The Panthers closed out the game with a 17-4 run.  Griffin and Sabina Oroszova both sank 3-pointers in the final two minutes.   Oroszova finished with 16 points.
 
The Flames shot 58 percent in the second half and 50 percent for the game.  Ruvanna Campbell had a double-double with 18 points, 10 rebounds.  Nunn had 16 points off the bench.