CHICAGO, Ill. - Looking to complete a weekend road trip sweep, the University of Evansville women's basketball team suffered a cold-shooting afternoon in its 68-65 loss to UIC on Saturday afternoon in Chicago, Illinois.

After knocking-down 14 three-pointers two nights ago against Valparaiso, the Aces hit just four of their 18 attempts on Saturday afternoon. Sophomore guard Camryn Runner again led Evansville in scoring, pouring-in 18 points to go along with five boards and four assists. Freshman BreAunna Ward finished just shy of a double-double, recording 17 points, nine boards, and adding five assists. Fellow freshman Jelena Savic proved to be important late in Evansville's comeback bid, scoring 14 points on the day, 10 of which came in the fourth quarter. The Flames were led by senior guard Jessica Carrothers, who tied Runner with a game-high 18 points.

Evansville's sluggish offensive start dug the Aces in a hole in the opening stanza. What was just a four-point advantage for the Flames ballooned to 12 with an 8-0 run by UIC to close the quarter.

The Aces bounced-back in the second quarter, fueled by a more-efficient attack and solid defense. With 3:10 left in the opening half, Runner hit a three that cut the Aces deficit to just three at 26-23. As they did in the first quarter, UIC would control the momentum down the stretch, using a 5-0 run to build their lead back to eight at 31-23 at the break.

Despite the Flames building their lead back to double-digits, Evansville seemed to consistently have an answer to keep the lead within reach. Trailing 42-33 just past the halfway point of the third quarter, the Aces mounted a 7-0 run capped-off by a three from freshman Sydney Huber that forced a UIC timeout. After trading baskets over the final 90 seconds of the period, Evansville headed to the final 10 minutes of regulation down five.

The deficit fluctuated between five and eight points throughout much of the first portion of the final stanza. A three-pointer from Savic with 1:47 left to play cut the deficit to three and Evansville was able to get a stop on the other end. With the ball and just over a minute left, Ward found Savic in the corner who buried another triple to tie the game at 60. UIC promptly answered with a three of their own, putting the Aces down by three again. 

With just 30 seconds left, Evansville got the ball again to Savic who drove to the basket, laid it in, and drew a foul, proceeding to convert at the free throw line to again tie the game. Following a timeout by the Flames, the Aces were called for a foul on the inbound play, sending UIC to the line for a pair of free throws that Carothers made to give UIC a two-point advantage. After a driving layup by Runner was missed, Evansville committed a foul on the Flames with seven seconds left. UIC's Sara Zabrecky missed the first freebie before hitting the second, keeping it just a one possession game for UE. On the ensuing play, Evansville got the ball in the hands of Runner, who found spaced for a three from the right wing that glanced off the rim as time expired.

The Aces return home for their longest homestand of the season, beginning with a matchup with Bradley at 7 PM on Friday, February 13th for Aces After Dark Night inside Meeks Family Fieldhouse. The first 150 fans will receive a free Neon Aces t-shirt and all fans in attendance can pick-up a glow stick or bracelet in the lobby.