Youngstown -- The Youngstown State women's basketball team put forth an intense first-half effort, but UIC stole the momentum in the waning minutes of the frame and used a big second half to beat the Penguins 57-42 on Thursday night at the Beeghly Center.
    YSU trailed just briefly in the first half and led by 10 on two occasions. However, the Flames scored the final nine points to cut a 27-17 deficit to one at the break. UIC scored on its initial possession of the second half to grab the lead and never trailed the remainder of the game.
    In the second half, YSU struggled to find the basket. The Guins shot 13.3 percent from the field making 4-of-30  shots and were outscored 31-15. UIC hit 11-of-26 from the field (42.3 percent). The Flames shot just 35.7 percent (10-of-28) in the first half.
    The Penguins showed tenacity on the boards outrebounding the Flames 57-42.
    Senior Kelsey Gurganus had a team-high 11 points while UIC's Jessie Miller had a game and career-high 26 points. Miller was 10-of-17 from the field, including a 6-of-9 effort from behind the 3-point arc. They were the only two players to reach double figures for the contest.
    The loss drops the Penguins to 2-17 overall and 0-8 in the Horizon League. With the victory, UIC improves to 11-7 and 5-3.
    YSU clung to a 27-26 halftime lead after leading by as many as 10 on two occasions in the opening period. It was the second time that the Guins led at the break this season (Akron on Dec. 20).
    In the first half, Youngstown State shot 40 percent making 10-of-25, but misfired on its final four attempts from the field and committed two turnovers in its last six possessions.
    YSU played just seven players in the opening half with just Macey Nortey and Tiara Scott coming off the bench because of injuries. Gurganus had the hot hand making four field goals, including two 3-pointers to score 10 points.
    Steadily the Penguins took control of the contest in the first 15 minutes. UIC's last lead in the opening half was 9-8 with 15:05 remaining.
    YSU led 13-12 at the 11:53 mark before scoring five straight points in nearly a five minute span to lead 18-12. After Miller drained a 3-pointer to get the within three, YSU reeled off seven straight points.
    Gurganus started the spurt with a 3-pointer at the 6:27 mark. Jaquetta Westley made two free throws and Gurganus concluded the run with a layup.
    Miller's layup cut the deficit to 25-17 before Macey Nortey answered with two free throws as the Guins held a 27-17 advantage with 3:32 left in the half.
    The Flames scored the final nine points, including two 3-pointers by Miller to get within one at halftime. 
    The Penguins play host to Loyola on Saturday at the Beeghly Center. Tipoff is set for 4:35 p.m. and is the first game of a men's-women's doubleheader.