Steve Woltmann

Women's Basketball 11/17/2015 1:57:00 AM Corey Miggins, Sports Information Director

Cougars Fall in Overtime Thriller to UIC in Home Opener

Junior Konner Harris drained a game-tying three-pointer in Monday's home opener against UIC

Box Score

CHICAGO – Chicago State women's basketball opened its home slate Monday night at the Emil and Patricia Jones Convocation Center with a thrilling battle against city rival UIC that couldn't be contained in regulation as the Cougars fell to the Flames in overtime by a score of 51-47.

The visitors took a slim 6-5 lead in the first quarter as both teams struggled shooting from the field, but the Green and White bounced back in the second quarter.

After UIC took a 12-7 lead on a layup from Imani Moore at the 8:20 mark, CSU went on a 16-7 run in a near six-minute stretch behind the shooting of sophomore Jessica Cerda (Streamwood, Ill./Streamwood) to take a 23-19 lead at intermission. Cerda scored eight points in the period that included a pair of three-pointers.

The Flames then scored 11 of the first 18 points of the third quarter to pull even with the home team at 30-30 with 1:28 remaining following a layup from Ruvanna Campbell. A three-point play by freshman Sh'Toya Sanders (Fort Wayne, Ind./Wayne) at the 58-second mark helped Chicago State regain the lead at 33-30.

UIC outscored the Cougars by a 10-4 margin for most of the fourth quarter to gain a 40-37 lead when Campbell scored on a layup with two minutes remaining in regulation. CSU tied the score at 40-40 when junior Konner Harris (Sidney, Ohio/Sidney) drained a corner three-pointer with 40 seconds left to send the game into overtime.

The visitors would take a 48-43 lead in the extra period after Campbell split a pair of free throws, but layups from Sanders and freshman Kaylee Allen (Cincinnati, Ohio/Winton Woods) pulled the Green and White to a single point at 48-47 with 41 seconds left. UIC scored three more points down the stretch to seal the win.

Allen led CSU with 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field which included connecting of 3-of-4 from three-point range. Senior Layne Murphy (Country Club Hills, Ill./Rich Central) grabbed 11 rebounds and blocked two shots, while Sanders finished the game with nine points and nine rebounds.

Kendyl Nunn scored a game-high 16 points off the bench to lead UIC.

The Cougars kick off a three-game road swing on Wednesday night when they travel to Western Michigan for a contest that will be broadcast live on ESPN 3 with a start time of 7 p.m., Eastern Time.

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