Box Score Nov. 24, 2015
CHICAGO -- All 12 UIC players that saw action Tuesday night chipped in on the scoreboard, and 10 of 12 registered an assist as the Flames motored past the visiting Roosevelt Lakers, 96-58, in front of close to 3,000 fans at the UIC Pavilion.
UIC sophomore Tai Odiase led the way with a career-high 23 points, while senior Jake Wiegand added a season-high 16. Freshman Julian Torres gave the Flames 16 great minutes off the bench as he finished with a career-best 13 points to go along with seven rebounds.
The home team shot a season-high 53.8 percent from the field Tuesday, making 35 of its 65 attempts. The Flames turned the ball over only nine times, including just twice in the first half.
The score was tied, 21-21, with just under 12 minutes to play in the first half before UIC went on a run. A 15-3 surge that was capped by a pair of free throws from freshman Drew Hackett with 7:28 to go in the frame. The Flames would continue to maintain a healthy distance, as they led by no fewer than seven points for the duration of the first stanza.
UIC continued to click offensively in the second half. The Flames shot 58.6 percent in the final 20 minutes. They wore down the Lakers defense inside, outscoring the opposition 32-8 in the second half. The bench also played a key role, scoring 26 of the squad's 47 second-half points.
The Flames shared the rock at an impressive clip, as well. UIC recorded assists on a season-high 24 of its 35 made baskets. Lance Whitaker, who made his first start of the season against Roosevelt, and Markese McGuire each dished out a team-best five helpers. Ten of the 12 Flames who played notched at least one assist.
Odiase converted 10 of his 12 field-goal attempts (.833), while Wiegand sank all six shots he took. Torres went 5-of-6 in his second collegiate contest.
Freshman Dikembe Dixson turned in the first double-digit rebounding performance of his young career with a game-best 15 boards. That is the most for any UIC player since Jordan Harks pulled down an equal amount on Feb. 15, 2014 at Youngstown State. Dixson also registered a game-high three blocks in the victory.
UIC will head west this weekend and visit Des Moines, Iowa on Saturday, Nov. 28 to take on the Drake Bulldogs at the Knapp Center. It will be the ninth meeting all-time between the two programs and it will tip off at 2 p.m. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN3.
The Flames will be back in the Windy City on Wednesday, Dec. 2 to face crosstown-rival DePaul at the UIC Pavilion. Tickets are available by calling 312-413-UIC1 or by visiting Ticketmastertoday.
UIC Notes: Drew Hackett made his first career start for the Flames ... Lance Whitaker made his first start of the season and the ninth of his career ... UIC has used three different starting lineups through three games ... Jake Wiegand scored a season-high 16 points, including 11 in the first half ... 10 different players scored in the first half for the Flames ... UIC is 1-1 against teams from Illinois this season with five contests remaining ... Tai Odiase has led the Flames in scoring in each of the last two games, setting a career high each time ... The victory is the first for head coach Steve McClain at UIC.
