Jan. 24, 2008
Box Score
Valparaiso, Ind.- The worst shooting half of the season proved to be the undoing of the UIC men's basketball team in a 60-56 loss to Valparaiso at the Athletics-Recreation Center on Thursday night.
The Flames (10-9, 4-4 Horizon League) shot just 17.1 percent in the second period, making just six of 31 attempts from the field.
Despite UIC's cold shooting after intermission, the Flames had a chance to take the lead in the final seconds. With Valparaiso (14-6, 5-3 Horizon League) nursing a 58-56 advantage, Robert Bush's three-point attempt from the corner with 21 seconds remaining bounced off the heel of the rim.
Scott VanderMeer pulled down a career-high 21 rebounds and fell one point short of what would have been his second straight double-double. The junior center also blocked three Crusader shots.
Josh Mayo scored a game-high 16 points, while Bush chipped in 14.
UIC used a 15-0 run, capped by three consecutive three-pointers, to lead by as many as 10 in the first half. Valpo guard Jarryd Loyd hit a halfcourt buzzer beater to trim the Flames' advantage to seven at intermission.
The well went dry for UIC coming out of the break, as the Flames missed their first 13 field goal attempts of the second half. A Jermaine Dailey dunk ended the drought at the 12:33 mark.
Valparaiso didn't take immediate advantage of UIC's dryspell, as the Crusaders' league-leading offense mustered just six points during that same span.
Samuel Haanpaa hit five treys to lead Valparaiso with 15 points.
Sophomore point guard Spencer Stewart returned after missing the Flames' last six games due to a broken left hand. Stewart had four assists in 18 minutes off the bench.
Rookie Tori Boyd continued his strong play of late, scoring eight points.
UIC takes on No. 14/15 Butler at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis this Saturday at 1:00 p.m. Central.
