CHICAGO – UIC got off to a fast start Friday night, but the Flames could not sustain the early momentum as they fell to the visiting Northern Kentucky Norse at the UIC Pavilion, 79-62.
 
UIC (11-10, 4-4 Horizon League) received big contributions offensively from a trio of true freshmen. Godwin Boahen matched a season high with 19 points, while classmate Tarkus Ferguson netted 13. K.J. Santos posted double figures for the third time in his young career with 11 points for the Flames.
 
Northern Kentucky (14-8, 5-4 Horizon League) saw five of its players score in double digits. Freshman Mason Faulkner matched Boahen for game-high honors with 19 points to lead the Norse.
 
How It Happened

• UIC got off to a red-start on White Out Night at the UIC Pavilion. Thanks to seven points from Boahen, the Flames opened up a 14-4 lead less than four minutes into the game. The Flames gained their largest lead of the half, 16-5, on a Santos layup.
• Northern Kentucky weathered the storm and went on an 11-2 run of its own to pull within a point at the 8:41 mark of the first half. Just over one minute later Kyle Guice connected from 3-point range to put the Flames back up by five, 23-18.
• UIC's offense sputtered, however, and the Norse used a 21-4 run to take their largest lead of the game. NKU led by 12 points with 2:21 to go, however, the Flames scored the final three points off the period as they went into the locker room down 39-30.
• UIC used a quick 6-0 run early in the second half to pull to within eight points, trailing 46-38, but NKU responded with nine unanswered points of its own to go ahead by 17 with a shade over 12 minutes remaining.
• The Flames could not get much to fall in the second half as they shot 33 percent with only 10 field goals. UIC was 4-of-14 from downtown as it tried to mount its comeback.
• The visitors pushed their lead to as many as 23 points in the final period before sealing a 17-point win, 79-62.

 Beyond The Box Score

• Boahen shot 60 percent (6-of-10) from the field and 50 percent (3-of-6) from beyond the arc Friday. His 19 points marked a personal high output in conference play.
• The Toronto, Ontario, Canada, native was also a factor on defense as he registered four steals to match a career high.
• UIC was outrebounded, 45-42, marking only the seventh time this season that the opposition held the edge on the glass. The Flames are 1-6 when outrebounded this season.
• Boahen, Tai Odiase, and Clint Robinson led UIC and tied for the game high with seven rebounds apiece. Odiase and Robinson each collected three offensive caroms.
• Ferguson dished out a game-high six assists for the third consecutive game. The Belleville, Ill., native is averaging 4.5 helpers and 12.9 points per game in League play to lead UIC in both categories.
• Head coach Steve McClain's bench entered the night averaging 25.9 points per game in Horizon League play, but that group was held to 13 points Friday. Northern Kentucky's bench scored 35 points, led by 19 from Faulkner and 10 from Dantez Walton.
• UIC fell in a night game for only the third time all season. The Flames are 10-3 in games after 6 p.m. CT, and 4-1 in Horizon League tilts. Friday marked the first loss in a night game since Dec. 10 at Grand Canyon.

 What's Next?

• UIC will close the weekend by hosting the Wright State Raiders on Sunday, Jan. 29 at 3 p.m. CT.
• The Raiders are the only Horizon League team that the Flames have yet to face this season.
• The all-time series is currently tied at 27 wins apiece, while the Flames have won three consecutive matchups, and four of the last five, at the UIC Pavilion.
• Sunday's game will be streamed on ESPN3 with Jonathan Hood and Chris Bleck on the call.