Then the WSU defense clamped down, holding UIC without a field goal on its next 15 possessions to separate for a 62-51 victory at the Nutter Center.
“When they came back we just had to keep our composure and calm down,” WSU junior guard Chelsea Welch, who led all scorers with 21 points. “We knew we just needed to take control of the game.”
The Raiders (20-5, 12-1 Horizon League) extended the program’s longest win streak since moving to Division I in 1987-88, and it leaves them two shy of the overall mark of 13 established by the 1986-87 squad.
By holding UIC (4-21, 1-13) without a field goal for 7 minutes and 51 seconds, WSU pushed its lead to 15, equaling the margin it established in the first half.
The Raiders got there with a 16-3 run that began coming out of a timeout once the Flames got within 36-34.
“For me it’s just making sure we get refocused,” WSU coach Katrina Merriweather said. “It’s not about fussing, not about yelling, it’s just about making sure we stay calm and composed. Because teams make runs, and the important part is that we follow theirs up with one lasts longer.”
Sophomore guard Emily Vogelpohl added 10 points and seven rebounds, while junior forward overcame early foul trouble to score nine points and grab a game-high 13 rebounds. Sophomore guard Symone Simmons also finished with double-digit rebounds (11) for the second consecutive game while scoring eight.
Sophomore guard Mackenzie Taylor added eight points and a career-high five steals for WSU, which is one of 10 teams yet to lose in 2017, with 10 of its 11 coming by double digits.
The last three have been against teams holding the bottom three spots in the standings in UIC, Valparaiso and Northern Kentucky.
“It’s always about us, and it’s about what we’re focused on doing, and that’s getting better every time we step on the floor,” Merriweather said.
“In this conference, last place means nothing,” Welch added. “We have a target on our back, and we all know that. We’re going to get every team’s best shot every team.”
Saturday’s game wrapped a five-game homestand. Next up for the Raiders is a three-game road swing, starting Thursday at Cleveland State.
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