CHICAGO – The hot-shooting streak for Indiana State came to an end Thursday night. The Sycamores, riding back-to-back games shooting over 44 percent, struggled to find the basket in a 55-46 loss at UIC.
 
Wendi Bibbins registered a double-double (12 points, 11 rebounds) to lead the Sycamores (2-5) while Regan Wentland added nine points, all of which came in the fourth quarter.
 
No matter how much UIC (3-2) would try to pull away – the Flames would lead by as much as 13 in the second half – Indiana State would keep charging back. But a slow start would prove to be too much to overcome.
 
"We just came out flat," Indiana State head coach Joey Wells said. "We played uninspired basketball tonight."
 
Indiana State shot just 21.4 percent from the field through three quarters while UIC, which trailed only once in the game, shot 39.5 percent entering the final period. The Trees finally found a sense of urgency in the fourth quarter, shooting over 42 percent, but the Flames kept pace from the field and the charity stripe.
 
Despite not making a field goal over the final 1:35, UIC made eight free throws over that final stretch to keep the game out of reach.
 
"There is a toughness issue behind this," explained Wells. "We've been talking about getting past that toughness issue but it came back tonight."
 
The Sycamores finally exit a challenging stretch of five games in 11 days including an international trip and will get a week of rest before hitting the hardwood again. However, toughness will be required even more as a strong December slate awaits the Sycamores, starting with Illinois on Dec. 7.
 
"November is over and December is here," said Wells. "We have to get better because our schedule only gets tougher.
 
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