Dec. 27, 2009
Box Score
MADISON, Wis.- The UIC men's basketball team was unable to keep up with host Wisconsin in a 79-43 loss at the Kohl Center on Sunday afternoon.
Robo Kreps scored 13 for the Flames (3-8). Zavion Neely added 11 and Jeremy Buttell pitched in 10 points and five rebounds.
Jon Leuer led five players in double figures with 17 points for the Badgers (10-2).
"In the famous words of Dennis Green, they are who we thought they were," said UIC head coach Jimmy Collins. "[Wisconsin head coach] Bo [Ryan] has built a good squad here. We got shots, we missed shots, and we missed layups, and they were very good defensively."
The Flames hung with the Badgers in the early going, with Neely scoring six of his nine first-half points in the game's opening 8:10.
But Wisconsin used hot three-point shooting and opportunistic defense to eventually go ahead by 19 in the inaugural period. The Badgers hit seven of 11 attempts from downtown and converted 10 UIC miscues into 13 points in the first half alone.
Kreps hit a buzzer-beating three from near halfcourt to cut the deficit to 16 heading into the locker room for halftime, but that's as close as UIC would get.
The Flames shot just 36 percent (18-for-50) for the game, and another bad night on the glass also hurt UIC as Wisconsin outrebounded the Flames 40-19.
UIC returns to the UIC Pavilion to host the first contest of a three-game homestand this Tuesday, Dec. 29 against Toledo at 7 p.m.
Fans can listen to podcasts featuring exclusive interviews with UIC head coaches, staff and student-athletes in two ways:
1. Download the free UIC Athletics Widget and click on the "UIC Flames Podcasts" link
2. Download podcasts for free on iTunes by searching "UIC Flames."
Fans wishing to learn more about affordable and flexible UIC ticket plans are encouraged to call 312-413-UIC1 or visit www.uicflames.com and click on the "Tickets" tab on the Flames home page.
