EVANSVILLE, Ind. – UIC regained its footing just in time to extend its season.
Keimari Rimmer scored 15 points and seventh-seeded UIC fended off a late run by 10th-seeded Evansville to win 72-62 Thursday night and advance to the quarterfinals of the Credit Union 1 Missouri Valley Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Ford Center.
The Flames (14-16) survived after Evansville whittled away most of a 17-point lead and will play No. 2 seed Missouri State at 6 p.m. Friday. UIC beat Missouri State in their only previous meeting this season, 69-62 in Chicago back on Dec. 29.
Rimmer hit two key baskets and four free throws in the fourth quarter to help UIC keep its lead. She also grabbed seven rebounds and made four steals as the Flames won a game in the MVC tourney for the third time in their three seasons as league members.
Kristin Young added 10 points for UIC, Krystyna Ellew scored nine and Ky Dempsey-Toney and Arin Freeman each chipped in with eight. Ten palyers saw action for the Flames and nine of them scored.
That balance offset outstanding performances from Evansville’s two young stars, Camryn Runner and Maggie Hartwig. Runner, the league’s Freshman of the Year, led all scorers with 24 points, including 19 in the second half. She also had six rebounds and a steal. Hartwig, a sophomore, had a near double-double with 18 points and nine rebounds.
It was Runner’s best outing since she scored 24 at Indiana State on Jan. 12. It just wasn’t enough on this night and the Purple Aces (7-25) lost in the opening round of the MVC tourney for the seventh straight time.
With its athleticism and quickness, UIC seemed to be in control for much of the game. The Flames made their first five shots of the second quarter, including two 3-pointers, to build a 30-13 lead and they led 36-25 at halftime after Freeman ended the second quarter with a layup and fade away jumper in the lane after collecting an offensive rebound.
When Sandra Frau-Gracia converted a three=point play at the 5:47 mark in the third quarter, the Flames led 45-32. Then Runner went to work.
The Evansville freshman converted two three-point plays and hit a 3-pointer as part of an 11-2 run that cut the lead to 47-43. Another three-point play from Runner, this time on a baseline drive, drew the Aces to 51-48 early in the fourth quarter. But they got no closer.
Their last major threat came when Runner dropped in two free throws to pull her team to 59-55 with 5:14 left. UIC coach Ashleen Bracey then got a timeout before a potential traveling call and the Flames capitalized, Danyal Middleton muscling in a short jumper for a 62-55 lead. Freeman’s jump shot made it 63-55 with 2:48 remaining and the Flames wrapped it up with free throws.