DETROIT –  UIC overcame a sluggish start to collect its sixth consecutive win, and the sixth in a row away from home, as it blitzed the Detroit Mercy Titans, 78-69.
 
The Flames, after falling behind 7-0, shot 61.5 percent in the first half, while the offense sputtered in the second half, shooting 32.4 percent, UIC held the Titans to nine field goals and a mark of 27.3 percent from the field over the final 20 minutes.
 
Dikembe Dixson carried the load offensively on Sunday, scoring 23 points on 7-of-11 from the floor. He also added eight points from the free throw line to go along with a season-high eight rebounds and four steals. UIC's Tarkus Ferguson added his second double-double of the campaign with 15 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
 
First Half Headlines

• Boahen Breathes Life: Detroit Mercy opened the game with seven unanswered points from guard Josh McFolley before the Flames shook off the slow start. Godwin Boahen came off the bench for UIC and scored five quick points to get the visitors back on track. The Flames steadied the ship and eventually tied the game at 11-11 on a jumper from Dikembe Dixson with 14:23 remaining in the half.
• Flames Fight For Lead: UIC eventually earned its first lead of the ballgame when Dixson converted a 3-pointer from the right wing that put the Flames in front, 22-21, with just over eight minutes left in the stanza.
• Run and Hide: Dixson's aforementioned 3-pointer sparked a 12-1 run for the Flames that put the visiting team in front 31-22 with 5:20 to go in the frame. The lead later ballooned to 11 points for the first time when Tarkus Ferguson canned long 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions for UIC.
• Detroit Mercy Makes Comeback: The Titans scored 11 of the final 17 points of the first half to climb back to within six at the break, 43-37. It was a four-point game in the final minute before UIC's Jacob Wiley knifed inside for a layup off a feed from Boahen to cap the scoring in the frame.

Second Half Headlines

• Slow and Steady: The Flames methodically built the lead back up to 10 points less than three minutes into the frame after Jordan Blount scored in the paint to put UIC in front, 49-39. The Titans would make it a one-possession game with 14:08 left in the game after a Cole Long layup.
• Strong Surge Hits Again: With the Titans within three, the Flames ripped off a 13-3 run that was capped on a emphatic Michael Diggins bucket that made the score 67-54 with a shade under six minutes remaining.
• Hang On Tight: Detroit Mercy continued to scrap and claw its way through the closing minutes, eventually pulling back to within four points after DeShawndre Black was fouled on a 3-point attempt and made all three shots from the stripe. UIC led 71-67 with 1:13 left, but UIC scored five unanswered points with a breakaway dunk from Dixson, a free throw from the sophomore and two from Ferguson that all but sealed the game. Marcus Ottey made two more from the line in the closing seconds to help the Flames get out of town with a 78-69 triumph.

Highlights



Notables

• The Flames have won six consecutive games for the first time under head coach Steve McClain. It is the program's longest winning streak since winning eight games in a row between Nov. 17-Dec. 15, 2012 (8).
• UIC owns the longest active winning streak in the Horizon League. With a record of 9-3 in #HLMBB games, the Flames sit in third place behind both Wright State and Northern Kentucky (10-2). UIC is two games in front of fourth-place Oakland (7-5) with the victory Sunday.
• UIC has won nine of its last 10 games since the calendar changed to 2018. The only team to top the Flames in the new year was Oakland on Jan. 15 at the UIC Pavilion.
• The Flames have won nine games in Horizon League play for the first time since the 2007-08 season. That year's Flames finished the conference slate with a record of 9-9.
• McClain's crew has claimed victory in six straight affairs away from home. That is the longest road winning streak since Jan. 26 - March 9, 2004, when the Flames won seven consecutive contests away from the Pavilion.
• The Flames have won three consecutive games against Detroit Mercy for only the second time in program history. UIC swept the season series a year ago to go along with Sunday's win. The only other time it happened was Jan. 22 – Dec. 31, 2009.
• UIC entered the second half with a lead Friday for the 12^th time this season. In all 12 outings, the Flames have protected the halftime cushion and won.
• With nine wins in the first 12 conference games, UIC continues its best start in Horizon League play since the 2003-03 campaign. That group was also 9-3 through its first 12 contests before finishing the season with an #HLMBB mark of 12-4.
• Dikembe Dixson eclipsed 20 points for the team-best fifth time this season, and the first since pouring in 22 against Milwaukee on Jan. 12. The Matewan, W. Va., native also posted a season-high eight rebounds and matched his season-best effort with a game-high four steals.
• UIC's bench outscored Detroit Mercy's, 21-1. All five reserves scored at least two points and Godwin Boahen led the group with eight
• Boahen made two of his three attempts from beyond the arc Sunday. The sophomore is shooting 76 percent (19-of-25) from 3-point range since Jan. 15 (seven games).
• Tarkus Ferguson recorded his second double-double of the season, and the ninth of his career. Ferguson had 15 points and led all players with a career-high 11 rebounds.
• Every UIC player to see time Sunday scored at least two points. It was the eighth time this season and second time in the last three games that the Flames accomplished the feat. It was the first time that head coach Steve McClain used 10 players. The first seven occurrences all featured nine UIC student-athletes.

Postgame Reaction





Up Next

• The Flames will return to the UIC Pavilion on Thursday, Feb, 8, when they will host the Youngstown State Penguins at 7 p.m.
• UIC topped the Penguins 92-78 in the first meeting this season on Jan. 18 at the Beeghly Center. The Flames made a season-high 14 3-pointers in that game, connecting at a clip of 53.8 percent (14-of-26) from beyond the arc. Marcus Ottey scored a career-high 29 points to pace UIC in the victory.
• Tickets are still available by calling 312-413-UIC1 (8421) or clicking here.