Dec. 14, 2015
CHICAGO -- Fresh off his first collegiate double-double performance, UIC freshman Dikembe Dixson has been named the Horizon League Freshman of the Week, the conference announced Monday, Dec. 14.
After breaking for final exams for a week, Dixson returned to hardwood with authority in UIC's lone contest of the week, a nonconference showdown with the Illinois Fighting Illini at the United Center on Dec. 12. Offensively, he had a relatively quiet first half with only three points, but he contributed in other ways with a game-high seven rebounds and two assists in 16 first-half minutes.
The Flames began the second half down by 11 points, but Dixson ensured that the deficit would not stand for long. He scored 17 points in the second half to help UIC fire back and regain the lead. The Freeport, Ill., native buried a jumper to cap a 12-0 run that gave his team the lead with 9:53 to go in the contest.
Dixson finished the afternoon with a team-high 20 points and a game-high 10 rebounds to notch his team's first double-double of the season. He was 8-of-14 from the field and 3-of-3 from beyond the arc, marking the second time this season he converted three triples in a game. The forward also distributed the ball well as he racked up a career-high four assists for the Flames.
In UIC's last two games, Dixson is averaging 21.0 points per game, 9.0 rebounds per game and 3.0 assists per game. He's shooting over 47 percent from the field, and close to 63 percent from 3-point range. In all seven games, Dixson is UIC's leading scorer with 13.3 ppg and 7.0 rpg.
This is the second Horizon League weekly honor for Dixson after he also earned recognition as the conference's inaugural Freshman of the Week this season on Nov. 15. He becomes the second two-time recipient of the award this season.
Dixson and the Flames return to action on Wednesday, Dec. 16, when they host the Illinois State Redbirds at the UIC Pavilion. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling 312-413-UIC1 (8421) or by visiting Ticketmaster today.
