CHICAGO -- Dikembe Dixson scored 22 points, and
Marcus Ottey added 20, to lead UIC (8-10, 3-2 HL) to an 88-73 win over Milwaukee (9-10, 2-4 HL) Friday evening at UIC Pavilion. UIC's torrid shooting set the tone for a wire-to-wire win, their third straight in Horizon League play and fifth in their last six home contests.
The Flames defeated their rivals to the north for the third straight time in regular season play. Though the Panthers had five players score in double figures, the Flames' defense universally frustrated Milwaukee shooters. UIC held Milwaukee to just 27.6% shooting in the first half, which was the best field goal defense in any half of conference play to date.
First Half Headlines
- Flames Hold Edge in Tight Beginning: The Flames got out to a modest early lead, and their advantage hovered around five points as the first half progressed. Jordan Blount turned his own steal into a fallaway basket, and Marcus Ottey scored five straight points on a reverse layup and a three pointer that rattled in, to help the Flames maintain their lead.
- Panthers Go Cold; Flames Capitalize: UIC extended their advantage, as a 1-of-13 drought by Milwaukee coincided with an 8-0 run for the home team. Clint Robinson fought hard for an offensive rebound and stickback during the stretch, and Godwin Boahen drew a charge to stifle a Panther possession.
- Friday Night Dunk Special: Two Milwaukee baskets in rapid succession put a temporary stop to the Flames' momentum. Their lead quickly ballooned back into double digits on shots from right around the rim. Tai Odiase threw down a two-handed dunk, and Ottey was the beneficiary of Tarkus Ferguson assists on consecutive possessions. Ottey converted a reverse layup first, and then outdid himself on a thunderous alley-oop.
- Defense Posts Complete Half: Milwaukee's shooting woes persisted throughout the first half. They made just 27.6% of their field goals over the first 20 minutes and tallied merely 26 points, trailing by as many as 16 points during the half and by 12 at halftime.
Second Half Headlines
- The Dikembe Show: Dikembe Dixson scored 10 points in the first four minutes of the second half, connecting on two three pointers, a spinning fadeaway, and a long jumper. The Flames' lead surpassed 20 for the first time by the under-16 media timeout.
- Playing Even: The teams traded baskets for several minutes, as Milwaukee was unable to significantly chip away at their deficit, nor could UIC gain any more ground. Dixson continued to dominate offensively, making his first five shots of the second half.
- Milwaukee Makes Its Run: Carson Warren-Newsome made a three pointer that ignited a 13-3 Panther run. He later scored consecutive baskets, including another three, followed by a triple from Brock Stull that brought the visitors within 12.
- Flames Remove Drama From Endgame: Tarkus Ferguson converted a jumper before Jacob Wiley made a strong take to the basket, ending Milwaukee's run. The Panthers would not threaten to reduce UIC's lead below double digits again. The Flames made 54.5% of their shots in the second half, including 5 of 9 threes, and converted 9 of 10 free throws in keeping Milwaukee at bay.
Highlights
News and Notes
- UIC's 88 points were a season Horizon League high, surpassing the 84 they scored against Green Bay Wednesday.
- The Flames placed two players in double figures (Dixson and Ottey) for the first time in conference play.
- UIC claimed three straight wins for the first time in 2017-18. It came one year to the day that their last three game winning streak started. The third victim in both streaks was Milwaukee.
- UIC backed up Wednesday's 58.2 percent shooting performance with a 51.5 percent showing tonight. It was the first time under head coach Steve McClain that the team made over half their shots in back-to-back games. The program last accomplished that feat February 8 and 12, 2015 against Detroit Mercy and Wright State.
- The second half saw UIC convert 54.5 percent of their shots. It was the fourth half in the last six in which they shot over 50%.
- By holding the Panthers to 26 points in the first half, UIC prevented their opponents from breaking 30 in three of four halves dating back to the IUPUI contest on Jan. 4.
- Milwaukee shot 38.5 percent on the evening, well below their 45.2 percent clip entering play. UIC has held all five league opponents below their season average.
- Brett Prahl was held to a 1-for-8 evening. Odiase and Robinson combined to hold him well under his 66.7 percent rate entering play.
- The Flames held a double-digit halftime lead for the second game in a row.
- Milwaukee's 27.6 percent field goal percentage in the first half was their lowest in any half this season.
- Dixson scored 19 of his 22 points after halftime. He shot 1-for-4 in the first half before lighting it up after the break to the tune of a 7-for-12 performance.
- Dixson moved into 19th place on UIC's all-time scoring list, just one point behind 18th place Craig Lathen.
- Tarkus Ferguson fell one assist shy of a double-double. He paired his game nigh nine helpers with 15 points.
- The Flames committed a season low-tying 11 turnovers.
Postgame Reaction
Up Next
- The Flames' three game homestand will wrap up Monday evening.
- Oakland will come to UIC Pavilion for an important Horizon League showdown.
- The 7:00 p.m. contest will be televised on NBC Sports Chicago.
