Box Score MACOMB, Ill. -- UIC struggled to put the ball in the basket Tuesday night as it fell on the road to Western Illinois, 84-57.
UIC aimed to push the pace early in the going a deep 3-pointer from Paris Burns in transition helped the Flames gain a 6-3 lead just 2:19 into the game. Another basket by Burns with just under 11 minutes to go in the opening stanza knotted the score at 12-12, but a free throw from WIU's Jalen Chapman 23 seconds later ignited a 13-0 run that spanned four minutes and change that made it 25-12 with 5:13 to go.
From that point forward the Flames and Leathernecks essentially traded buckets with each side netting 14 points apiece leading up to the intermission. Western Illinois owned a 39-24 edge heading into the final 20 minutes of play Tuesday.
After committing only 10 turnovers during its entire opener against San Francisco on Nov. 13, UIC was hampered by nine miscues in the first half at Western Hall. The Flames were unable to find the bottom of the net, as well, shooting just a shade over 24 percent in the first stanza.
The iron remained unkind to UIC in the second half. The Flames were once again below 30 percent (7-for-26) in the final 20 minutes. The Leathernecks, meanwhile, connected at an even higher clip as they made 17 of their 29 attempts (58.6 percent) to finish the game.
For the second consecutive game, UIC head coach Steve McClain used 12 players. Eight Flames scored in the ballgame. Tai Odiase paced three Flames in double figures with 16 points, half of which came from the charity stripe. The reigning Horizon League Freshman of the Week Dikembe Dixson and senior Paris Burns each poured in 11 points. Odiase led the way on the glass with eight rebounds, while Lance Whitaker and Najeal Young each corralled five caroms off the bench.
UIC is back home at the Pavilion on Tuesday, Nov. 24 when the Roosevelt Lakers visit at 7 p.m. For tickets, please call 312-413-UIC1 or visit Ticketmaster today.
UIC Notes: Tai Odiase made a career-high eight free throws ... the Flames lead the all-time series against the Leathernecks, 20-17 ... Gabe Snider made his first start of the season and the 13th of his career ... Twelve players saw court time for the second game in a row ... Eight players scored Tuesday ... Julian Torres had four points and four rebounds in 12 minutes in his collegiate debut ... UIC's bench put up agame-high 19 points, led by seven from Najeal Young ... UIC had 20 offensive rebounds and the Flames outscored the Leathernecks, 20-15, on second-chance points.
