HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. -- UIC fell behind early and never recovered Saturday, falling to the Northern Kentucky Norse on Saturday night at BB&T Arena, 86-51.
 
The Flames (5-10, 0-2 Horizon League) shot just 25.9 percent (7-of-27) from the field in the first half, while NKU (9-5, 2-0 Horizon League) shot 53.3 percent (8-of-15) from beyond the arc in the first period to establish a large lead early. UIC performed much better in the second half, shooting 44.8 percent (13-of-29) to NKU's 37 percent (10-pf-27), but the 33-point halftime deficit proved too much to overcome.
 
Marcus Ottey led UIC in scoring for the second consecutive game with 15 points, while freshman Michael Diggins and sophomore Jordan Blount added nine apiece. NKU's Drew McDonald registered his second double-double in conference play with a game-high 19 points and 12 rebounds.

First Half Headlines

• Home Team Hits from Deep: Northern Kentucky was nearly unstoppable from beyond the arc in the early going. The Norse converted 4-of-5 from downtown over the first 5:18 of the ballgame to snag a quick 17-4 lead. It certainly did not help matters that UIC made just one of its first six shots Saturday.
• Lid on the Basket: While the Norse made eight of its first 14 shots, including four of six from 3-point range, UIC was ice cold early. The Flames made only two of their first 10 attempts with Marcus Ottey and Clint Robinson tallying points in the paint for the visitors.
• One-Sided Affair: UIC could never find its offensive rhythm in the first half. The Flames shot only 25.9 percent in the first half and did not score from the field in back-to-back possessions throughout the duration of the first period.
• Bombs Away: Northern Kentucky made more attempts from 3-point range in the first half, eight, than UIC made total field goals (seven). The Norse made eight 3-pointers on 15 attempts in the first 20 minutes, connecting at a clip of 53.3 percent. Those long-distance shots helps the home team take a 49-16 lead into the locker room at the half.

 Second Half Headlines

• Clean Slate: UIC shot the ball much better in the second half, making 13-of-29 attempts for a clip of 44.8 percent. The defense also improved as it held Northern Kentucky to a second-half shooting percentage of 37 percent (10-of-27) and only two 3-pointers on six such efforts. The Norse did outscore the Flames in the second half, 37-35, with 15 of their 37 points coming in 21 attempts from the charity stripe.
• Diggins Does Work: Freshman Michael Diggins made the most of his opportunity in the second half, scoring all nine of his points, while playing 16 minutes. The Las Vegas native converted in a variety of ways with a 3-pointer and a couple of dunks. Diggins also had two rebounds, a steal and a block in the second half.
• Better on the Boards: The Flames outrebounded the Norse in the second half, 20-18. After surrendering eight offensive rebounds and 15 second-chance points in the first half, UIC limited NKU to just two second-chance points on four offensive boards over the final 20 minutes.

Notables

• Marcus Ottey led the Flames in scoring for the team-best sixth time this season with 15 points. The sophomore is averaging a team-high 15.5 points per game in Horizon League play.
• After winning the battle on the boards in seven consecutive games, the Flames were the short end of that category Saturday. The Norse outrebounded UIC, 46-34, thanks to a margin of +14 in the first half. UIC is 1-6 when getting outrebounded this season.
• All nine UIC players utilized by head coach Steve McClain scored at least two points Saturday. It was the fifth time this season that feat has been accomplished and the first in Horizon League play. The Flames are 2-3 this season when every player appears in the scoring column.
• Two freshmen – Michael Diggins and Jacob Wiley – had career-high point production at NKU. Diggins posted nine points, all in the second half, while Wiley posted six points.
• The Flames used their sixth different starting lineup this season to open the contest. Jordan Blount, Dikembe Dixson and Tai Odiase each made their 15^th start of the season, while Godwin Boahen made his seventh and Ottey his fifth.
• UIC is 1-2 against 2017 NCAA Tournament teams this season. The Flames defeated MEAC champion North Carolina Central on Nov. 10. UIC lost at No. 8 Kentucky on Nov. 26, and to NKU on Saturday.

 
Up Next

• The Flames conclude a three-game road trip on Thursday, Jan. 4 at IUPUI.
• UIC leads the all-time series against the Jaguars, 3-0. The last meeting, which the Flames won 70-65, took place at the UIC Pavilion on Nov. 30, 1999. UIC also claimed victory in the last meeting in Indianapolis, 78-67, on Feb. 12, 1980.