Dec. 16, 2006
Box Score
Chicago, Ill. - T.J. Gray's 19 points off the bench paced a balanced scoring effort by the UIC men's basketball team in an 86-80 victory over Akron at the UIC Pavilion on Saturday afternoon.
Four other Flames scored in double figures to give UIC (6-5) its fourth win in the last five games and end a six-game winning streak by the Zips (6-2).
Othyus Jeffers fell one rebound shy of yet another double-double, scoring 16 points and grabbing nine boards. Jovan Stefanov and Josh Mayo each pitched in 14 points, and Scott VanderMeer turned in 11 points, nine rebounds and four blocks.
In a tight game that featured eight lead changes and five ties, Gray proved to be clutch. The junior guard canned five of his nine three-point attempts, and he hit two key free throws with 27 seconds left in regulation to pad the Flames' one-point lead.
The Flames' defense held Akron to 46 percent (30-for-66) shooting from the field for the game, marking the first time that the Zips shot under 50 percent from the field in a contest this season.
Romeo Travis led Akron with a game-high 24 points.
The UIC men's basketball team will continue play next week with a pair of road tilts at Mississippi (Dec. 19) and Penn (Dec. 21), before returning to the Pavilion on Dec. 23 to take on Illinois State at 2 p.m.
