Dec. 16, 2002

Box Score

Chicago, Ill. - Junior Cedrick Banks celebrated his 21st birthday on Monday night by tying his season-high with 22 points (10-of-18 FG) to lead UIC to a 73-45 victory over visiting Samford at the UIC Pavilion.

"We need to have more birthdays on gamedays," UIC Head Coach Jimmy Collins said after the game.

"This was really a great defensive effort by our team tonight," Collins continued. "That was a better team than the score indicated, and to hold them to just 18 points in the second half was very pleasing."

Banks, who also added eight rebounds and three assists in the win, was one of three Flames in double figures. Junior Joe Scott tabbed season bests with 15 points (6-for-8 FG) and eight boards while junior Martell Bailey collected his first career double-double with 10 points and a season-high 11 assists.

No Samford (4-4) player reached double figures with four players tallying eight points to tie for team-high scoring honors.

The Flames never trailed after gaining a 10-9 lead with 11:55 left in the opening half with the 28-point final margin the largest UIC advantage.

UIC controlled the post on Monday, outrebounding the Bulldogs 44-26 and outscoring Samford 26-12 in the post.

The Flames will have little time to enjoy this victory as they begin a four-game road swing on Thursday night when they take on city-rival Northwestern in Evanston at 7:00 p.m.