Box Score Dec. 22, 2015
CHICAGO -- UIC's offense provided a hot start, and its long-range shooting led to a furious finish Tuesday as it helped the Flames down the Purdue Calumet Peregrines at the UIC Pavilion, 91-74.
Senior Gabe Snider helped propel the Flames close out the game with a career-high six 3-pointers in the game's final 5:49. The first helped push UIC's lead back up to double digits and the team didn't look back.
"Gabe Snider came off the bench and gave us a big lift," said UIC head coach Steve McClain. "He knocked down some shots at Loyola and maybe that gave him some confidence. Beyond that, everybody got on the court tonight and got the chance to contribute."
Snider led the team with 18 points as he was one of five Flames to post double figures in the scoring column. McClain used 12 players in the game and 10 of them netted at least two points, while eight contributed at least one assist. The team registered 21 assists on 30 made baskets, and it had a season-low eight turnovers. Paris Burns came off the bench and energized the lineup with seven assists without a miscue, while Lance Whitaker handed five helpers for the second time this season to equal his career high in that category.
The offense was firing in the first half as the Flames posted 51 points in the first 20 minutes. That marked the single highest half through nine and a half games this season. The squad shot 58 percent from the field with 19 makes, and even a tick better from beyond the arc at 60 percent. UIC did much of its damage inside by scoring 28 points in the paint to Purdue Calumet's 12. The Peregrines were able to hang around in the first half thanks in large part to six 3-point conversions, however UIC led by 10 at the break.
UIC's Dikembe Dixson led players on both squads in scoring and rebounding in the opening half. The Freeport, Ill., native posted 15 points and eight rebounds. He shot 6-of-13 from the field and knocked down two of his three 3-point efforts. In total, eight different Flames made an impression in the score book in the first half. PUC's LaBradford Sebree led his team with 14 points, adding three boards and two helpers in 17 minutes of action.
The basket seemed like it had a lid on it in the early going of the second half. UIC missed its first four attempts before Dixson picked up a loose ball and put it up and in with 15:50 remaining in the contest. In the meantime, the Peregrines had trimmed their 10-point halftime deficit down to two.
PUC eventually pulled to within a point of its adversaries with 12:03 remaining on the heels of a 17-8 run. Following a 30-second timeout, UIC's Dominique Matthews knifed in and scored two of his 10 points to ensure that Flames didn't trail for the remainder of the contest.
Dixson narrowly missed out on his third double-double of the season as he finished the game with 17 points and game-high nine rebounds. Tai Odiase added 12 points, while Whitaker matched a career high with 11, including a personal-best eight free throws.
"I'm really proud of our fans that showed up tonight," said McClain. "I can tell you that it means a lot to these kids."
UIC will be idle until Tuesday, Dec. 29, when it hosts the Northern Illinois Huskies at the Pavilion in the nonconference finale. It will be the first meeting between the two programs since the Flames won, 58-46, in DeKalb on Nov. 27, 2012. Tickets are available for the matchup by calling 312-413-UIC1 (8421) or by visiting Ticketmaster today. Following the next home game, UIC opens Horizon League play on Saturday, Jan. 2 at Valparaiso.
UIC Notes: UIC used its ninth different starting lineup in 10 games ... Freshman Julian Torres made his second career start, and the first since Dec. 2 vs. DePaul ... Paris Burns' seven assists were the most for an individual in the Steve McClain era ... UIC's 51 points in the first half were the most in any stanza this season ... The Flames eclipsed 90 points for the second time this season ... Gabe Snider led the Flames in scoring for the second consecutive game ... Snider is the first Flame to hit six 3-pointers since Ahman Fells did so on Jan. 31 at Valparaiso ... UIC had a season-high five players score double figures ... Dikembe Dixson led UIC in rebounding for the seventh time in 10 games ... The Flames moved to 2-3 at the UIC Pavilion under McClain.
