Chicago, Ill. - It was an all too familiar feeling for UIC men's basketball coach Jimmy Collins following the Flames 52-43 loss to UW-Green Bay at the UIC Pavilion on Thursday night.

The loss marks the fifth straight defeat for UIC (9-13, 3-6). All five games have featured sluggish first halves for the Flames. Thursday's loss proved much of the same as the Phoenix (10-12, 3-6) held UIC to 18 points in the first half.

"Our spirits are definitely broken," Collins said "Maybe they're just mentally beat down.

"We had plenty of opportunities to win the game, but when you get 18 points in a half, emotionally you are not there." UW-Green Bay reserve guard Aaron Jessup led all scorers with twelve points and ripped down a game-high nine rebounds.

The Phoenix also received a solid effort defensively from reserve guard Ruan Mueller.

"We haven't played that way in a long time," Mueller said. "We kept on working hard and it finally paid off."

UIC turned the ball over 16 times and UW-Green Bay capitalized off the Flames' miscues with 15 points. "The kids really came out tonight with a purpose on defense," UW-Green Bay coach Mike Heideman said. "The bench played exceptional. They provided a spark and played that way the entire game.

UIC senior guard Joel Bullock (Chicago, Ill./South Shore) led the Flames with 10 points. Sophomore forward Maurice Brown (Syracuse, N.Y./Henninger) chipped in nine points and eight rebounds while classmate Joe Scott (Palos Heights, Ill./Stagg) scored all seven of his points in the second half.

Collins was clearly frustrated following Thursday's loss.

"What's wearing on me is that I don't have tough enough people to compete," Collins said. "When you play hard and lose - I can stomach that.

"What I can't stomach is not playing hard."