Jan. 21, 2010
Box Score
CHICAGO- Despite holding the Horizon League's top shooting team to its worst night from the floor this season, the UIC men's basketball team fell to Valparaiso, 64-58, at the UIC Pavilion on Thursday night.
K.C. Robbins scored a career-high 14 points and pulled down eight rebounds for the Flames (5-13, 1-7 Horizon League).
Chris Buchanan scored 11 in his first career start, and Jeremy Buttell added 13 points off the bench.
League-leading scorer Brandon Wood led four players in double figures with a game-high 16 for the Crusaders (9-11, 4-4 Horizon League).
The Flames forced Valparaiso to shoot 32.1 percent (17-for-53) from the field, the Crusaders' lowest shooting clip of the year. Valpo came into Thursday's game leading the Horizon League in field goal percentage at 47.0 percent.
UIC also held Valparaiso to 4-for-21 (19.0 percent) shooting from behind the arc.
But UIC was unable to take advantage of its defensive effort. The Flames were outrebounded 41-33, allowing 19 Valpo offensive rebounds in the process.
The Crusaders also scored 15 points off of the Flames' 15 turnovers.
UIC stayed close despite the rebounding disparity and the miscues, as the Flames were down just two with three minutes remaining. But Valparaiso went on a quick 6-0 run, capped by a steal by Howard Little that led to a fast-break dunk by Wood to put the visitors ahead by eight with 1:36 left.
The Flames, forced to foul the rest of the way to get the ball back, could get no closer than four during the remainder of the contest. The Crusaders put the game away by converting five of six at the charity stripe in the final 34 seconds.
"Anytime you let a team get 19 offensive rebounds, it signals a lack of hustle," said UIC head coach Jimmy Collins. "[Valpo] made hustle plays and we didn't."
UIC hosts 20th-ranked Butler this Saturday, Jan. 23 at 1 p.m. inside the UIC Pavilion.
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.
