Feb. 15, 2001
Box Score
Detroit, Mich. - Detroit guard Rashad Phillips scored 20 of his game-high 25 points in the second half as the Titans pulled away from visiting UIC, 75-62, Thursday night at Calihan Hall.
The victory improved Detroit's home winning streak to 30 games. The stretch is third longest in the country behind only Michigan State and Iowa State.
The Flames had their opportunities in the game, but UIC converted on only 27 of 42 free throw attempts on the night and shot just 37% from the field in the 13-point loss.
"We shoot 42 free throws and tied them on the boards (30-30)," commented UIC head coach Jimmy Collins after the game. "What killed us was shooting 64% from the foul line and 37% from the field. Right now we are just not putting the ball in the basket."
Joe Scott was the lone UIC player to reach double-figures on the night, tallying a team-best 11 points.
Phillips, who hit 5-of-10 three-pointers on the night and also handed out six assists, was just one of four Titans to finish in double figures as Willie Green and Greg Grays each added 12 points while sophomore Terrell Riggs chipped in with 10. For the game, Detroit shot 51% from the floor and 50% (12-of-24) from behind the three-point line.
The Titans used their three-point attack to jump out to a quick 18-6 lead as five of UDM's first six field goals were triples.
UIC got back in the game, though, as they went on a 19-6 run of their own to quiet the Calihan crowd by taking 25-24 lead with 5:59 left.
The Flames' advantage was short-lived as the Titans closed the half on a 10-0 surge to take a 36-28 lead into intermission.
Collins' crew would chip away at Detroit's lead early in the second half, and with 16:22 remaining trailed by only four, 38-34.
Senior Phillips took over for the Titans from there as he almost single-handedly put the Flames away, hitting four three-pointers in a 19-4 UDM run that put them up by 20 (57-37) with just over 11 minutes left.
"They smelled blood in the water and went in for the kill," remarked Collins on the Titans final run.
With the loss, UIC, which has now lost its last seven games, falls to 9-15 on the year and 3-8 in the Midwestern Collegiate Conference. Detroit improved to 18-8, 8-3 in the league with the win.
The Flames are back in action on Saturday, Feb. 17, when they travel across town to meet Loyola at 3:00 p.m.
