Oakland used a 20-3 run at the outset of the third quarter to turn a tight game into a runaway, and defeated UIC 78-50 in the Flames' final home game of the 2016-17 season.

UIC came alive late in the third quarter.  Brittany Byrd made a nice jump step through the lane and scored on a layup to highlight an 8-0 Flames run, but by then the damage had been done.  The Grizzlies scored the first 15 points of the second half in just over four minutes.  Leah Somerfield, who had gone scoreless in the first half, scored nine of Oakland's first 20 points.  They went 4-6 on three pointers during their run.

The Flames fell to 5-22 on the season (2-14 in Horizon League play).  Oakland won its fourth straight over UIC and improved to 15-11 and 9-6 in the conference.

Byrd finished with 15 points and 7 rebounds to lead the Flames.  Terri Bender had 10 points for UIC, who couldn't follow up Thursday's win over Detroit Mercy with a second consecutive victory for the first time this season.  Catera Etheridge tied her career high with six boards.

Both teams had issues with ball security in the opening half.  There were 28 combined turnovers (14 by each team) including two steals by Bender, which elevated her into a tie for third place on UIC's all time list.  Bender finished the game with three steals and 259 for her career, needing just one theft in the Flames' last two games to secure sole possession of second place.

UIC had a modest three point lead late in the first quarter, having held Oakland to an 0-7 shooting drought.  But the Grizzlies closed the quarter on an 8-0 run and led by six after 10 minutes.  Buckets in rapid succession by Johnson, Bender, and Byrd constituted a 7-0 run and the Flames were back in the lead just 1:40 into the second quarter.  UIC would suffer through a six minute stretch in which they scored just one basket.  Their defense kept Oakland from building too much of a lead until an and-one by Taylor Toney ended the drought.  Later, Kiki Bynes intercepted an Oakland pass and won the race to the rim.

Gabryelle Johnson drew three charges in the second quarter alone, the final one coming on Oakland's last possession and denying the Grizzlies a chance to extend their two point lead.  For the second straight game, the Flames were down by two at the half.

Somerfield and Nicole Dodd each finished with 15 points for Oakland.  Hannah Little was held below her Horizon League-leading rebound average but still finished with nine to secure game high honors.

UIC's three seniors, Bender, Laura Litchfield (one rebound in eight minutes), and Melita Emanuel Carr (sidelined with an injury), were honored in a pregame ceremony.  An emotional Bender took the PA microphone after the game to thank the fans and families for their support.

The Flames will hit the road for a quick turnaround ahead of Monday night's game at Green Bay, and then close out the regular season at Valparaiso next Saturday.