CHICAGO -- The UIC Flames (8-11, 3-3 HL) could not sustain their hot-shooting first half after the break, and saw their three-game winning streak come to an end at the hands of visiting Oakland (12-8, 4-3 HL), 78-68 at UIC Pavilion Monday evening.

Both teams shot over 51 percent in the first half, and Oakland held a four point lead after 20 minutes. The Golden Grizzlies were the more efficient team in the second half.  Though they made just nine field goals, they shot at a 41 percent clip and made five three pointers. The visitors shot over 40 percent from distance on the evening, and held UIC to 35 percent from the floor after halftime.  Kendrick Nunn scored a game high 32 points, leading four Grizzlies in double figures. Dikembe Dixson and Tai Odiase each had 13 to lead UIC.

First Half Highlights

• Flames Start Hot, But Oakland Hotter: UIC made four of its first eight shots; however the visitors converted six of their first eight to take a 15-11 lead with five minutes gone by. Jalen Hayes scored six of Oakland's first 11 points.
• Teams Trade the Lead: Consecutive baskets by Marcus Ottey – first a running one-hander, and then a 3-pointer – gave UIC a one point lead. Then the Flames went scoreless for over three minutes as Oakland made five of seven shots to regain a four point advantage. Godwin Boahen ended that spurt with a short jumper and a three of his own to put the Flames back on top.
• Offense the Order of the Day: Neither team led by more than five points in the first half, thanks to efficient marksmanship on both ends.  The Flames made 52 percent of their first-half field goals, while Oakland was a touch better at 54.5 percent.
• Hard to Miss These Shots: UIC's efficiency was augmented by high percentage shots at the rim. Tarkus Ferguson lobbed a rim-rocking alley-oop to Tai Odiase.  Dikembe Dixson was the beneficiary of a well-placed bounce pass from Ottey, and had an open layup as a result.

Second Half Highlights

• It Got Cold in Here: As well as both teams shot in the first half, neither squad could find the bottom of the net at the outset of the second half. The Golden Grizzlies made just one of their first seven shots, while the Flames were 2-for-9 over the first six minutes after the break.
• Flames Heat Up, Take Lead: Ottey's driving layup with 9:42 to go capped a 6-0 run and a stretch that saw the home team made four of five field goals, and it gave UIC a 54-53 lead.  It was their first lead since the 8:12 mark of the first half.
• Threes and Frees: Oakland responded with a 10-2 run comprised entirely of free throws and three pointers. Kendrick Nunn stroked four foul shots and a triple, and Nick Daniels' three ball gave his team its largest lead as Oakland went up by seven.
• Flames Tie, but Can't Claim Lead: Clawing their way back once again, UIC tied the game at 65 on two Dixson free throws after Boahen made a three pointer.  But Oakland converted two 3-point plays within a minute and a half and quickly reestablished an eight-point lead.
• Ball Bounces Oakland's Way: The Flames had a glimmer of hope in the final minute when Odiase blocked a shot, but in the ensuing scramble for the loose ball near midcourt, Ferguson was whistled for a foul.  The free throws put Oakland up by seven, and UIC would not score again.

News and Notes

• Dikembe Dixson continues his ascent up the program's all-time scoring list.  He moved ahead of Craig Lathen and Bobby Locke and currently occupies 17^th place.
• When the first half ended, the Flames had shot 51.9 percent, making it their fifth half in the last seven with a percentage over 50%.
• UIC fell to 7-4 at home, where they had won four in a row before Monday.  Their perfect 2-0 home record in Horizon League play was also spoiled.
• Jordan Blount had a team-high nine rebounds.
• UIC's guards were sharp in their ball handling.  Starters Ottey and Ferguson combined for 11 assists and only two turnovers, and all guards who played amassed 14 assists and four turnovers.
• Kendrick Nunn's 32 points were the most by a Flames opponent this season.
• Nunn made five threes and two other Grizzlies netted three each, contributing to Oakland's advantage from deep.  They made 11 shots from behind the arc to the Flames' five.
• Oakland shot a few points better than their season average of 45.6 percent, snapping the Flames' streak of holding their previous five opponents below their season average.
• The teams played even on the glass with 34 rebounds apiece. UIC held a two-rebound advantage on the offensive end, and Oakland was +2 on the defensive backboards. It was the second consecutive game that the Flames tied an opponent on the glass.
• By scoring only 28 points on 35.3 percent shooting in the second half, the Flames had their lowest output at home since the first half against DePaul on Dec. 9.
• Both teams entered play in the top 15 nationally in blocks, but were able to avoid rejection Monday. Oakland had four blocks, while UIC had only two – their lowest total of the season.

Highlights



Postgame Reaction

• Steve McClain
  
   
• Tai Odiase and Tarkus Ferguson
  

Up Next

• The Flames will embark on a road trip to Ohio at the end of the week.
• The trip will begin with a game at Youngstown State Thursday at 6:00 p.m. CT.
• Five of UIC's next six games will be on the road, with the lone home game in that span coming on January 27 against IUPUI.