CHICAGO, Ill. - The Western Illinois Fighting Leathernecks were back in action Saturday night, taking on UIC in nonconference play. Western couldn't overcome an early deficit, dropping a 67-54 decision to the Flames inside the Flames Athletic Center. The Leathernecks fall to 4-4 on the year while UIC is off to its best start since 1995-96, as the team improves to 6-1.

"UIC is a really good team. They rush you and the frazzle you and that is the lesson we have to learn," said head coach JD Gravina. "We have to be able to mimic that pressure in practice. If we make 60% of our open layups and go up strong, we are right in the game, if not winning. When your mind is racing and you are having to be real physical and real intense all the time, it's hard to calm yourself down and shoot free throws, so that is something we will have to get better at. There are teams like UIC in our league that are going to frazzle us and we've got to work on that."

UIC jumped out to an early 7-0 lead forcing a quick timeout by Western. Following the timeout, junior guard Michelle Maher stepped up and single-handedly led the Purple and Gold on a 9-1 run, as she knocked down a trio of shots from beyond the arc to give the Leathernecks a one point lead. Following a layup by UIC's Ruvanna Campbell, sophomore Mallory Boyle got a shot in the lane to fall, giving Western the lead once again at 11-10. It would be the final time Western Illinois held a lead Saturday night.

The remainder of the first half was a back and forth affair as the teams would trade baskets, with UIC slowly building its advantage. The Flames would extend their lead to as many as 11 in the opening 20 minutes, and led by a 34-26 margin at halftime. Western Illinois struggled shooting the ball in all three aspects of the game in the first half, as they shot 36% from the field, 30% from beyond the arc, and 45.5% from the free throw line.

In the second half, the Leathernecks were unable to mount a comeback, as each basket was met with a response by UIC. Junior Krystal Corhn drained a three and Ashley Luke followed up with a layup to give Western a mini 5-0 run. The run cut the deficit to nine points with 15:01 left to play, but Western could not get any closer for the remainder of the game. Western was only able to knock down seven field goals in the second half, but kept the game close as they were 11-14 from the free-throw line. At one point in the second half, eight straight Leatherneck points came from the charity stripe.

Western Illinois had no answer for Terri Bender and Campbell, as the two combined for 49 of the UIC's 67 points. Campbell recorded a double-double (29 points and 10 rebounds) while Bender added 23 points and a game-high five assists. The Flames held a sizable advantage down low, as they outscored the Leathernecks in the paint, 44-18. 

Luke and Tori Niemann led the way for Western, as each dropped 11 points. For Luke, it was her 45th consecutive game scoring in double figures, while Niemann has now scored ten or more points in six of the last seven games. Niemann also contributed a season-high four steals, while Luke recorded a team-high six rebounds. Maher also tallied double figures, as she scored all 10 of her points in the first half. 

The Leathernecks have a quick turnaround, as they travel to Peoria on Tuesday (Dec. 9) to take on Bradley. The Braves picked up their first win of the season Saturday afternoon, as they knocked off Missouri, 76-64. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. inside the Renaissance Center.