Dec. 30, 2014
Final Stats: UIC 79, Judson 38
CHICAGO - The UIC men's basketball team (4-11) secured its largest margin of victory in more than 13 years with a dominating 79-38 win against Judson College (2-12) on Tuesday night at the UIC Pavilion. All 11 players that recorded minutes also totaled at least two points and one rebound in the final box score as senior Ahman Fells and junior Paris Burns led the way with 12 points apiece. An 8-0 run to start the game for UIC, combined with a 29-2 run moments later, put the contest out of reach early. The Flames are now 4-3 at home this season.
The last time UIC won by more than 41 points was on Nov. 21, 2001, when the Flames downed St. Joseph's (Ind.) by a margin of 43 (96-53).
"It was good to see our guys play as one unit tonight," said head coach Howard Moore. "We defended as a team, took care of the basketball and had a lot of post touches. It is always a good feeling to get a win before conference play starts, and we are excited to host Youngstown State on Friday."
UIC committed a mere two turnovers which established a new program record. The previous single-game low was three, set on Jan. 16, 2013 against Loyola. The Flames forced 19 Judson turnovers and converted those miscues into 27 points. UIC's 17 steals is team's highest count since Dec. 22, 2007.
Another impressive statistic was UIC's 23 assists, which the program has not accomplished in nearly seven years since Jan. 5, 2008 at Cleveland State.
Seven UIC players shot at or above 50 percent tonight as the team posted a season-high field goal shooting mark of 48.4 percent (31-of-64). Thirty-one field goals also stands as a new season-best.
The Flames outscored Judson in the paint by a margin of 36-12 and held the Eagles to 29.2 percent shooting, a season-best for UIC's defense.
Fells' 12 points serves as a new career-high as the senior knocked down two triples in the first 93 seconds of the game. Junior Gabe Snider was 3-of-4 from behind the arc for nine points as he dished out four assists.
Junior Jason McClellan notched his highest output as a Flame with 10 points adding five rebounds. Redshirt freshman Lance Whitaker chipped in six points and totaled a team-high five assists.
UIC will commence Horizon League action after the New Year on Jan. 2 at home against Youngstown State (8-6). Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT. The Penguins host Northern Kentucky on Wednesday afternoon before heading to Chicago.
