RADFORD, Va. -- Tarkus Ferguson poured in 22 points and matched a career-high with five 3-pointers, but the UIC Flames (0-2) fell on the road Friday night at Radford (2-0), 88-78.
 
UIC shot 50 percent from the floor, but Radford, the defending Big South Conference champion, connected at a clip of 57.1 percent (12-of-21) from 3-point range.

Marcus Ottey added 18 points for the Flames, while Godwin Boahen and Michael Diggins each chipped in with 11.

First Half Headlines

• Slow Start: For the second time in as many games, UIC started out a bit slow Friday night. Radford scored the first seven points before Ottey broke the seal 4:17 into the game. That sparked a seven-point run for the Flames that tied it up on a Boahen 3-pointer with 14:25 to go in the half.
• Grabbing the Edge: UIC used a 10-1 run to grab its first lead of the evening with 10:18 gone by on an old fashioned 3-point play from Ferguson. That sequence put the Flames in front 19-17, but it was short-lived as Radford found a 3-pointer off an offensive rebound on the next possession.
• Downtown Damage: The Highlanders eventually pushed the lead up to a half-high 11 points with 2:34 to go in the period. With the help of back-to-back 3-pointers from newcomer Jamie Ahale and one from Ferguson, UIC raced to within four points in the final minute. Ahale had another look before the first-half buzzer, but it drew iron to take the teams to the locker room with Radford ahead, 38-34.

 Second Half Headlines

• First Punch: The Flames scored the first seven points of the second half and a 3-pointer from the left wing by Diggins two minutes in put UIC in front, 39-38.
• See-Saw Situation: The teams traded the lead back and forth throughout the opening minutes of the half. The game was tied at 50 points apiece after a driving layup from Boahen with 10:32 remaining. After a defensive stop, the Flames were whistled for a technical foul. The Highlanders made both free throws to go ahead. Ottey soon made a hoop and drew harm to tie again just over a minute later.
• Radford's Run: After Ottey tied the game RU's Carlik Jones made a layup that sparked a 14-3 run which gave the Highlanders the lead for good.
• Late Surge: The home team pushed the advantage to 19 points on a few occasions in the last 3:30. The Flames trailed 86-67 with 39 seconds to go before Ferguson unleashed three 3-pointers in the final 31 seconds. His two free throws with 10.5 seconds to go made it a 10-point game, but UIC would come no closer.

Notables

• The Flames have posted a better field-goal percentage than the opposition in both games this season. UIC shot 50 percent (28-of-56) Friday, while Radford finished at 47.5 percent (29-of-61).
• The Highlanders shot 25 free throws during the game, while the Flames were awarded 11. Seven of the 11 attempts came in the final 1:35 of the game.
• Tarkus Ferguson scored a season-high 22 points, marking the seventh performance of at least 20 points in his career. He scored 16 of his 22 points in the second half. Ferguson also matched a career high with five three-pointers (March 21, 2018 at Austin Peay).
• Michael Diggins matched a career high with 11 points off the bench. He made three 3-pointers Friday, also equaling a high mark.

Up Next

• UIC will conclude its three-game road trip on Monday, Nov. 11 at Duquesne for a game that will tipoff at 7 p.m. CT.
• The Dukes have not played a game yet this season. They will host William & Mary in the season opener Saturday evening.