Feb. 19, 2000

Box Score

UIC Pavilion - The UIC men's basketball team ran out to a 24-7 lead and never looked back as it defeated crosstown rival Loyola University, 81-72.

Prior to the game, UIC (10-17, 5-7 MCC) paid tribute to its seniors playing in their final home contest of the year and it was only fitting that senior Leonard Walker, making his first start of the season, triggered UIC's quick start as he tallied six of the Flames' 13 points.

UIC extended its lead to as many as 19 points in the first half before enjoying a 38-23 halftime margin. Loyola (14-11, 4-8 MCC), however, fought back in the second half to come as close as six points, 54-48, but UIC then used a 10-2 run to put the game out of reach, 64-50, with seven minutes to play.

In a physical game of bloody lips and bodies on the floor, which resulted in a total of 32 fouls, UIC visited the free throw line 31 times, sinking 25 of its charity shots. UIC pounded the ball inside time and time again and its big men - Maurice Brown, Joe Scott and Thor Solverson - made the most of their time at the line, draining 16-of-19 free throws.

Brown led UIC, which hustled to the boards for a 45-36 rebounding edge, with 20 points and nine rebounds while Scott added 18 points and nine boards off the bench.

Earl Brown paced Loyola with a game-high 21 points.