DeKALB, Ill. -- In another close contest that featured 12 lead changes, including 10 in the first half, the UIC Flames could not overcome the NIU Huskies on the road Thursday night, falling 69-63.

The Flames (4-8) shot 45 percent from the floor, but only 15 percent from beyond the arc as the Huskies (7-5) prevailed in the in-state showdown. NIU was also aided by 17 UIC turnovers, while committing only nine of its own.

First Half Headlines

• Keeping It Close: Neither team went on much of a prolonged run during the first half. The lead changed hands 10 times in the first 20 minutes. UIC led by as many as four points on a few occasions, first with 13:18 to go after a Dikembe Dixson layup. The Huskies, which led by four at the half, matched that lead for the first time on a 3-pointer from Levi Bradley with 20 seconds to go in the period.
• Taking Advantage: UIC scored eight of its 29 points in the first half off six NIU turnovers. The Huskies on the other hand only had two points off eight UIC turnovers.
• Scoring Starters: The Flames entered the game averaging 26.5 points per game from the bench, but the three reserves who played in the first half were shut out in the scoring column. Marcus Ottey, who had come off the bench in 10 of the team's first 11 games, started Thursday and scored a team-high 10 points in the first half.
• Inside Advantage: UIC struggled from beyond the arc in the first half, making only 1-of-9 3-point attempts. The Flames shot 61 percent (11-of-18) on 2-point attempts and scored 18 points in the paint.

 Second Half Headlines

• Brief Edge: UIC used an 8-2 run to grab its first lead of the half with 9:56 to go in the game when Dixson buried a pull-up jumper from the right side. The Flames went in front 44-43, but NIU went back in front on the next possession when Dante Thorpe canned a 3-pointer.
• Clawing Back: The Huskies went in front by seven points with 8:10 to go, but the Flames fired back and pulled back to within two when Dominique Matthews made an uncontested layup with 5:49 remaining on the clock.
• One More Surge: NIU looked to put the game away when it led by nine with just over two minutes to play, but UIC would not go quietly. Matthews put back an errant 3-point attempt with 2:05 to go before Tai Odiase slammed home a basket on the next possession to make it a five-point game with 1:51 to go. The Huskies scored the next four point, however to create the necessary space and seal a 69-63 victory.

 Notables

• The Flames posted a better field goal percentage than the opposition for the second time in as many games on the road trip. UIC shot 45 percent to NIU's 41 percent, but the visitors were hampered by 17 turnovers to only nine for the Huskies.
• Jordan Blount recorded his first career double-double, and the first for any UIC player this season, behind 13 points and 10 rebounds. He also led the Flames with four assists Thursday.
• Marcus Ottey and Dominique Matthews each scored 17 points to lead UIC in that department. It was the fourth time this season that both players either led or tied for the lead in scoring for the Flames.
• UIC won the rebounding battle for the fifth consecutive game. The Flames pulled down 41 rebounds to NIU's 36. The Flames had 12 offensive rebounds with six players tallying at least one apiece.
• The Flames finished with a season-low one point from the bench, which came via a free throw from Michael Diggins in the second half.
• UIC is winless in seven games when trailing at the half this season.
• UIC used its fifth different starting lineup Thursday night. Ottey made his second start of the season, and 11^th of his career, for the Flames. He was joined by Dikembe Dixson, Tai Odiase, Blount and Matthews. Dixson, Blount and Odiase have started all 12 games this season.

 Up Next

• The Flames finish nonconference play on Saturday. Dec. 23 at the UIC Pavilion against Trinity Christian. That matchup will begin at 3 p.m. CT.
• UIC hosted the Trolls las season and won the game convincingly, 102-66. Six players scored in double figures in the balanced attack as the Flames eclipsed 100 points for the first time since the 2002-03 campaign.