HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – UIC and Northern Kentucky exchanged the lead 23 times Friday night, but it was the Norse that had it last in a 90-82 victory at BB&T Arena.
 
UIC (14-16, 7-10 Horizon League) shot 52.2 percent from the field, but it was only able to get to the free throw line eight times. Northern Kentucky (20-10, 11-6 Horizon League) made 27 trips to the charity stripe and the Norse made 23 of those attempts.
 
Marcus Ottey scored a career-high 25 points and had a career-high seven rebounds, while Tarkus Ferguson added 22 to go along with 10 rebounds as he secured his fifth career double-double.
 
How It Happened

• UIC used a 9-1 spurt to take a nine-point lead with 7:15 gone by in the game after Ottey pulled down one of his seven rebounds and scored at the other end. The Flames scored nine of their first 20 points via 3-point shots with K.J. Santos and Ferguson twice hitting from beyond the arc.
• Northern Kentucky climbed closer by scoring eight unanswered points, including six off three UIC turnovers to cut its deficit to just a point with 8:20 to go in the half.
• With 4:58 left in the stanza, Cole Murray stepped into a 3-pointer that gave a 31-29 lead, its first of the ballgame to that point.
• The lead changed hands five times in the final five minutes with Santos securing a 37-36 lead with 47 seconds to go in the half, a lead that UIC would hold until the half.
• The Flames and Norse were neck-and-neck throughout the second half, with neither team securing a lead of greater than four points over the first 19 minutes of the period.
• Northern Kentucky led by two after Drew McDonald sank two free throws after drawing Tai Odiase's fifth foul of the game with 1:58 to go. When the Flames got the ball, it was in the hands of Ottey with the shot clock winding down. The dynamic guard got to the rim and drew a foul. He made both free throws to tie the game at 80 with 1:29 to go.
• The momentum shifted on NKU's next possession. Lavone Holland II made a backdoor read and his defender, Ottey, slipped. He caught Holland II's jersey and an intentional foul was called. The Norse turned it into a four-point possession because Holland made both free throws and Dantez Walton got an offensive rebound and scored off a miss from McDonald.
• UIC fouled to stop the clock and extend the game, but the Norse made 6-of-8 from the charity stripe in the final 1:17 to seal their 20^th win, 90-82.

 Beyond The Box Score

• Ottey made his eighth start of the season, and first since Jan. 6 against Detroit Mercy. The Ajax, Ontario, Canada, native posted career highs in points (25), field goals (11), rebounds (7), steals (3) and minutes (35). He led the Flames in scoring for the second time this season, and first time in Horizon League play
• Ferguson registered his fifth career double-double, all of which have come in conference play. His nine field goals and four steals marked career highs. He also recorded a game-high seven assists with only one turnover in 39 minutes.
• UIC dominated the paint, outscoring NKU there, 54-34. The Flames also had more fast-break points (10-0) and more points off turnovers (16-11).
• UIC held the lead at halftime for the 16^th time this season, but it failed to hold on for only the fifth time in those situations.
• The Flames attempted a season-low eight free throws.

 What's Next?

• The Flames will conclude the 2016-17 regular season on Sunday afternoon with a game at Wright State at 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT.
• The Raiders defeated UIC in the first meeting this season, on Jan. 29 at the UIC Pavilion, 88-86.
• The Flames have secured the sixth seed in the upcoming Horizon League Tournament. Their first game will be against the third seed on Sunday, March 5 at 5 p.m. ET/4 p.m. CT.
• For the second consecutive season, the conference tournament, dubbed Motor City Madness, will be held at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Mich.
• Tickets are available by calling 312-413-UIC1 (8421) or by visiting www.motorcitymadness.horizonleague.com.