Feb. 6, 2010
Box Score
CHICAGO- Zavion Neely scored a game-high 23 points, and the UIC men's basketball team withstood Youngstown State's second-half rally in the Flames' 74-68 win at the UIC Pavilion on Saturday.
Robo Kreps scored 20, Jeremy Buttell fell a point shy of his second consecutive double-double with nine points and 11 rebounds and Spencer Stewart handed out seven assists for the Flames (6-17, 2-11 Horizon League), who snapped a school-record nine-game losing streak.
DeAndre Mays scored 22 and Vytas Sulskis came off the bench to score 21 for the Penguins (8-15, 2-11 Horizon League).
"It is really, really good to win," said UIC head coach Jimmy Collins after the game. "Youngstown State has had our number the past couple of years, and it was good to win with the type of positive attitude and hustle and effort that our players showed today."
After the Penguins scored the first bucket of the game, UIC went on a 12-2 run that set the tone for a solid opening period for the hosts.
The Flames led by as many as 15 in the first half, due in part to 50 percent shooting (14-for-28) from the floor, and took a 13-point lead into the break.
UIC built its advantage to 17 less than five minutes into the second half, but that is when Youngstown State started its comeback attempt. The Penguins outscored the Flames 16-5 over the next seven minutes to whittle their deficit down to five with just over eight minutes remaining.
The Flames would take a 57-48 lead over two minutes later after a steal and fast-break basket by Kreps, but back-to-back three-pointers by Mays and Sulskis made the game a three-point affair.
Despite the Penguins' persistency, UIC was up to the task of holding back the threat. The Flames would go back up by seven, and when Youngstown State pulled within four on a pair of free throws by Mays with 2:27 left, UIC made four free throws of its own to double the advantage by the time only 39 seconds stood on the clock.
Youngstown State would get no closer than five as Kreps scored eight of his 16 second-half points in the game's final 39 seconds on a pair of quick layups and four successful shots at the charity stripe.
UIC avoided losing 10 in a row for the first time in school history.
"Through it all, the attitude has been positive," said Collins of the team's psyche through the last nine games. "Guys have been upbeat and not dragging their tails. The season's not over, and there is a lot left to play for the rest of the way."
The Flames have a quick turnaround, traveling to Valparaiso this Monday, Feb. 8 to take on the Crusaders at the Athletics-Recreation Center at 7 p.m. The game will air live on Lakeshore Public Television.
SCHEDULE NOTE: NEXT SATURDAY'S GAME AGAINST LOYOLA AT THE GENTILE CENTER HAS BEEN CHANGED TO A 7 P.M. CT TIP FOR TELEVISION. THE GAME WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR 3 P.M. CT BUT WILL BE SEEN LIVE ON LAKESHORE PUBLIC TELEVISION AT 7 P.M. CT.
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.
