Box Score Jan. 2, 2016 Box Score
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 | Valparaiso 75, UIC 47
Athletics-Recreation Center • Valparaiso, Ind.
Box Score | Box Score  |  |
VALPARAISO, Ind. -- A first-half scoring drought troubled the UIC Flames Saturday afternoon and the squad was unable to recover against the defending Horizon League champions, Valparaiso. The Crusaders picked up a 75-47 victory in the conference opener for both sides.
Nine different UIC players scored Saturday, including Lance Whitaker, who paced the group with eight points. Three Crusaders poured in double figures, led by Shane Hammink's 13 points.
Neither team set the net on fire in the early going as the sides struggled to develop any offensive rhythm. Valparaiso made only one of its first eight attempts from the field, while the Flames converted only two of their first seven shots. The Crusaders were able steady themselves, but UIC missed 10 consecutive efforts over a span of longer than seven minutes during the middle of the half. That helped Valpo go up by double digits with 6:30 to go in the period, and the home team held a 37-20 lead at the break.
The Flames were troubled by 12 turnovers, which Valparaiso converted into nine points. The Crusaders also got to the free-throw line 13 times, missing only two of those tries. After the cold start, VU shot 41 percent in the first half, while UIC was held to 29 percent with eight field goals and four points coming from the charity stripe.
Najeal Young returned to the lineup after missing two games to make his second start of the season for UIC. The junior rewarded head coach Steve McClain's confidence by scoring four points and grabbing a team-high four rebounds in the first half.
The buckets did not come much easier for the visiting team in the second half. The team shot a tick better, shooting 32.3 percent from the floor. Valparaiso was better, too, shooting north of 51 percent in the final 20 minutes of action.
Valpo's bench played a large role in its 20th consecutive home victory, scoring 31 points, led by Hammink and 11 more from Darien Walker. UIC received 17 points from its bench, led by Jake Wiegand's 11. Vashil Fernandez grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds, including six on the offensive glass. He also led all players with six blocks, three more than all the Flames combined.
UIC continues its conference-opening road trip on Friday, January 8 when it invades the Motor City and Calihan Hall to take on the Detroit Titans at 8 p.m. CST. The contest will air live on ESPNU, and it can be heard on the radio home of the Flames, ESPN1000 Chicago. The journey voyage continues on Sunday, January 10 in Rochester, Mich., against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies.
UIC Notes: UIC used its 10th different starting lineup in its 12th game of the season … Najeal Young made his second career start Saturday … Tai Odiase and Dikembe Dixson have started all 12 games for UIC … Lance Whitaker led the Flames in scoring for the first time this season … Young had a team-high six rebounds, including four in the first half …Whitaker and Dixson each handed out three assists to lead UIC … Dixson was held to single digits for only the fourth time in his young career … UIC had fewer than three 3-point field goals for the third time this season … UIC used at least six players off the bench for the 11th time in 12 games under Steve McClain.
