Jan. 17, 2004
Box Score
Chicago, Ill. - The UIC men's basketball team opened up a 19-point lead in the first seven minutes on Saturday afternoon and never look back, rolling past a depleted Cleveland State squad, 83-68, at the UIC Pavilion.
With the win, the Flames leveled their Horizon League record at 3-3 while moving to 12-6 overall. The Vikings, meanwhile, dropped their 10th-straight decision, falling to 0-5 in league play and 4-12 overall. Cleveland State played without three key players, missing one to injury and a pair to academic ineligiblity.
UIC was paced by senior Cedrick Banks, who finished with a team-high 17 points. Banks scored 13 points in the Flames' decisive run 29-10 run to start the game and assisted on two other baskets.
Armond Williams (11 points) and Martell Bailey (11 points) also reached double figures for the Flames, who shot 52% from the field for the game. Junior Josip Petrusic added a career-high eight points in the win.
The Vikings were led by Jermaine Robinson's game-high 27 points. Omari Westley added 12 points and seven rebounds.
UIC owned a 54-27 lead at intermission after shooting a blistering 61% in the opening frame.
The Flames will be back in action on Wednesday night when they travel to Dayton, Ohio, to take on Wright State in a key league contest.
