BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (Interstat) — In a game that followed its predicted script for three quarters, the Indiana Hoosiers unleashed a dominant fourth-quarter performance to pull away from the Illinois-Chicago Flames for a 72-56 victory in a non-conference women’s basketball game Friday night at a raucous Assembly Hall.

A crowd of 7,413 watched as the Hoosiers, riding a career-high 35 points from guard Shay Ciezki, improved to 2-0 on the young season. The Flames, despite a valiant effort for much of the contest, fell to 0-2.

The game was a tale of two halves, and ultimately, a tale of one decisive quarter. For the first 30 minutes, Illinois-Chicago showcased a resilience that belied their underdog status and the pregame projections from Interstat’s ELO system, which gave Indiana a 99.10 percent probability of winning.

The first half was a tightly contested affair. The Flames came out aggressively, matching the Hoosiers basket for basket in the opening period. Illinois-Chicago’s Julia Coleman, a 6-foot forward from St. Louis, Missouri, established herself early, helping her team to a 16-point first quarter. Indiana, led by Ciezki’s electric scoring, managed a narrow 17-16 lead after one.

The second quarter saw the Flames continue their strong play. Their defense tightened, holding the potent Hoosiers offense to just 10 points in the period. Meanwhile, guards Jessica Carrothers and Coleman found seams in the Indiana defense, propelling Illinois-Chicago to an 18-point quarter. By the time the teams headed to the locker rooms, it was the Flames who held a surprising 34-27 advantage, having outscored the home team by seven in the second.

The momentum began to shift decisively in the third quarter. Indiana emerged from halftime with renewed defensive intensity. The Hoosiers started forcing turnovers and converting them into easy baskets, finishing the game with 15 points off turnovers compared to the Flames’ 8. While Illinois-Chicago’s offense stalled, managing only nine points in the quarter, Indiana chipped away at the lead. A 19-point period for the Hoosiers erased the Flames’ halftime advantage and gave Indiana a slim 46-43 lead heading into the final frame.

Any hopes of a Flames upset were extinguished in a breathtaking fourth-quarter display by the Hoosiers. Indiana’s offense exploded for 26 points, its highest-scoring quarter of the night, while its defense completely smothered Illinois-Chicago, limiting them to 13 points. The Flames had no answer for the offensive onslaught, as the Hoosiers methodically stretched the lead from a precarious three points to a comfortable 16-point margin of victory.

The star of the night was unquestionably Indiana’s Shay Ciezki. The 5-foot-7 guard from Buffalo, New York, was virtually unstoppable, pouring in 35 points in 36 minutes of action. She efficiently carved up the Flames’ defense from all levels, adding two assists and a block to her stellar scoring line. She received significant support from Zania Socka, who provided a crucial secondary scoring option with 19 points. The Hoosiers’ backcourt control was further emphasized by the playmaking of Nevaeh Caffey and Lenée Beaumont, who each dished out five assists.

For Illinois-Chicago, the effort was spearheaded by Julia Coleman, who finished with a team-high 20 points. Jessica Carrothers, a guard from Crown Point, Indiana, playing in her home state, added 17 points and three assists in a team-high 37 minutes. Beyond that duo, however, the Flames struggled to find consistent offense. Starters Crystal Ortiz and Sara Zabrecky were held to a combined six points, and the team’s shooting percentages from the floor, three-point range, and the free throw line were not enough to keep pace with Indiana’s firepower.

Indiana’s interior presence was also a key factor, as they outscored the Flames 36-30 in the paint, asserting their physical dominance as the game progressed.

With the win, Indiana continues its strong start to the season, building on a dominant 80-46 victory over Lipscomb from earlier in the week. The Hoosiers now look ahead to a challenging stretch, with a home game against Marshall on Tuesday followed by a significant early-season road test at Florida State on Sunday, Nov. 16.

For Illinois-Chicago, the search for their first win continues after opening the season with losses to Robert Morris and now a ranked Indiana team. The Flames demonstrated they can compete with high-level teams for extended periods, but will need to find a way to maintain that intensity for a full 40 minutes. They have a lengthy break before their next contest, a road game at Ball State on Monday, Nov. 24, which begins a string of ten games that will see them travel to Maine, Ohio, and Valparaiso before returning home in late December.

While the final score reflected the vast gap in preseason expectations, the Flames’ competitive spirit through three quarters provided a blueprint for future success. For the Hoosiers, the victory was a testament to their depth and ability to flip a switch when necessary, a trait that will be vital as they navigate a schedule that includes upcoming battles with Butler, Gonzaga, and a road trip to rival Illinois.