GREEN BAY, Wis. --  UIC exploded for 49 points in the second half to come from behind and take down the Green Bay Phoenix Friday night, 83-75. It was the 11^th Horizon League win this season for the Flames, most since 2004 (12). It was also the seventh consecutive road win, also the most since 2004.
 
UIC (16-12, 11-4 Horizon League) hammered Green Bay (10-19, 5-11 Horizon League) on the glass, 60-42. The Flames received a career-high 15 rebounds from Jordan Blount and a personal-best 12 from Tarkus Ferguson. Dikembe Dixson netted a team-high 18 points, while Blount and Tai Odiase added 14 each.
 
The game turned on what was essentially a six-point possession for the Flames. Michael Diggins drew a flagrant foul with 7:03 to go and made the shot to break a tie and put UIC in front 64-62. After a media timeout the freshman calmly sank both free throws. The Flames then got an acrobatic layup from Marcus Ottey to take a six-point lead with 6:46 remaining.
 
The Flames return home to finish the regular season with a three-game homestand. The set begins on Monday, Feb. 19 with a visit from Detroit Mercy at 7 p.m. Tickets are available by calling 312-413-UIC1 or visiting Ticketmaster.
 
First Half Headlines

• Slow Start: UIC could not find an offensive rhythm during much of the first half. The Phoenix started quick and grabbed a 14-7 lead less than five minutes into the game. Less than two minutes later, the Flames were within one, down 14-13 with 13:23 left in the period.
• Chip Away: The Flames got a big lift off the bench from Clint Robinson. The senior blocked PJ Pipes off the backboard on one end before drawing a foul and making two free throws that put UIC in front 17-15 with 11:17 to go. The advantage was short-lived however as a Green Bay 3-pointer regained the lead for the home team.
• Phoenix Rising: Green Bay went on a lengthy 16-2 run that created a 12-point lead with just under five minutes to go in the half. UIC steadied itself once again and cut the deficit all the way down to one with 1:09 left on a Jordan Blount layup. The Phoenix took a four-lead into the locker room, 38-34.

 Second Half Headlines

• Flames Fight On: The Flames played from behind during the early portion of the second half. Green Bay led until Robinson finished a tough bucket inside off a feed from Dixson to put UIC in ahead by a point, 53-52, with 12:25 left in the game.
• In Front For Good: Dominique Matthews scored a layup with 8:35 remaining and the bucket ignited a 15-0 run that gave UIC the lead for good. Dixson tied the game at 62 on a jumper before Diggins' memorable six-point sequence. With 4:54 left on the clock UIC led 73-62 after a pair of points from Blount. The Phoenix never came closer than six points the rest of the game.

 
Notables

• UIC won for the 11^th time in conference play. That is the most League wins since the 2003-04 team, which went to the NCAA Tournament, won 12 times against Horizon League foes.
• The Flames have won 11 of 13 games overall since Jan. 4, 2018.
• The Flames have won seven consecutive road games for the first time since Jan. 26 – March 9, 2004. UIC has not lost outside of Chicago in 2018.
• Friday's win was the third time this season that UIC rallied to win while trailing at the half. The other two occurrences came against IUPUI on Jan. 4 and Jan. 27.
• The Flames won in Green Bay for the first time since Feb. 18, 2004. UIC also topped the Phoenix in Chicago to sweep their rivals from Green Bay in the regular season for the first time since the 2003-04 campaign. The Flames won three in a row against the Phoenix dating back to the 2017 Horizon League Championship.
• UIC has swept the regular season series against IUPUI, Milwaukee, Youngstown State and Green Bay.
• The Flames hauled down a season-high 60 rebounds Friday, 12 more than the previous high (48 vs. Trinity Christian). UIC had 15 offensive rebounds with Tai Odiase (5) and Clint Robinson (4) combining for nine.
• Three players – Jordan Blount, Tarkus Ferguson and Michael Diggins – each had career highs on the glass. Blount led all players with 15 rebounds, while Ferguson added 12. Diggins chipped in with seven, two more than his previous best.
• Blount had his third double-double, and second in Horizon League play, thanks to 14 points and 15 rebounds. Ferguson finished with eight points, four assists, three blocks and a season-high three steals to go along with his 12 boards.
• Dikembe Dixson led a balanced attack with 18 points. He has led the Flames in scoring a team-high 11 times this season.
• UIC entered the game ranked second in the NCAA with 6.7 blocks per game. The Flames swatted nine shots Friday. The NCAA's active career leader, Tai Odiase, sent back four. His has 337 in 122 career games.

Postgame Reaction





Up Next

• The Flames will return home for a three-game homestand that opens on Monday, Feb. 19 against Detroit Mercy.
• UIC knocked off the Titans, 78-69, in the first meeting of the season on Feb. 4. Dikembe Dixson scored 23 to lead the Flames, while Tarkus Ferguson had a double-double behind 15 points and a career-high 11 rebounds.
• Monday is #MotorCityMadness Night. Tickets are available for only $10 with the promo code "GOUIC"