UIC shook off a sluggish first half and got a spark from its defense, turning a 10-point deficit into a 10-point win over Robert Morris, 72-62, Thursday night.

Godwin Boahen paced the Flames with 17 points, and Tarkus Ferguson had 12 of his season-high 14 in the second half.  Seven steals and eight blocks in the second half alone fueled transition buckets and got the home crowd at Credit Union 1 Arena out of its seats.  Michael Diggins had a career high five rejections among the team's 10.  UIC also had 10 total steals to set a season high.

UIC outscored Robert Morris, 48-29 in the second half.  It was the team's highest scoring half of the season.

The Flames' homestand will continue Saturday afternoon against Mercer.

First Half Highlights

• Braelen Bridges threw down a slam off an inside feed from Godwin Boahen to open the scoring for UIC.  That was the lone early bright spot as the team made just one of their first seven shots.
• Both teams had problems holding on to the ball, committing four turnovers each in the early minutes.  Michael Diggins forced one of Robert Morris' miscues with a nice steal, and then scored a three-pointer off a turnover to end UIC's drought.  Later, Bridges passed out of a double team from the corner to the opposite wing, setting up Boahen for a game-tying three.
• The Colonials found their stroke and took a seven point lead behind 56% shooting.  Boahen initiated plays on both ends with a three pointer and a charge drawn.  Bridges worked free for a layin off of that play, but it was the visitors who had the better of the turnover battle.  Robert Morris scored 12 points off of 10 Flames turnovers and took a game-high nine point lead into the break.

Second Half Highlights

• Jamie Ahale knocked down a triple and Bridges had another dunk after Robert Morris went up by 10 early in the second half.  Diggins connected on a straight-on three to pull UIC within four.
• The Flames' comeback continued thanks to effort on the defensive end.  After pressuring RMU in the backcourt, Ahale turned a turnover into three more points.  Diggins and Boahen contributed buckets, and when Brian Taylor converted a layup off another turnover, UIC had its first lead since it was 10-8.
• Deon Ejim's only basket was a nice tip-in after one of his five rebounds.  It was followed by triples from Boahen and Ahale that capped a 19-2 run and gave UIC a 10-point lead with under eight minutes to go.
• The Colonials scored consecutive buckets around a steal of the inbounds pass to pull within six points.  They got no closer, though, thanks to a free throw line jumper by Boahen and an open-court block by Tarkus Ferguson that led to a Jacob Wiley slam, effectively ending the game.

Facts and Figures

• Diggins joined Boahen and Ferguson in double figures, scoring 12 to get into double digits for the second straight game.
• The Flames shot a season high 51%, including a blistering 62% after halftime.
• During the game-turning 19-2 run, UIC held Robert Morris to 1-for-10 shooting and forced four turnovers.
• Diggins paced the team with eight rebounds.  Ferguson contributed seven.
• The Flames claimed five more rebounds than the Colonials.  Their total of 39 tied the season high.
• UIC assisted on 18 of 28 made shots – both season high numbers.
• Thanks in part to season highs in steals and blocks, the Flames held RMU to 36% from the field.  It was the lowest percentage of any opponent this year.
• Ferguson had six assists and four steals.  Both were season highs for any Flame.
• Half of UIC's points came in the paint.
• Ahale tied his season highs with two 3-pointers and five rebounds.
• Boahen went 4-for-4 from the free throw line, extending his season streak to 15 straight without a miss.

Up Next

• The Flames will begin play in the Boca Raton Beach Classic on Saturday.
• UIC will host Mercer at 4:00 pm in an on-campus game.
• Canisius will visit Credit Union 1 Arena on Tuesday before action shifts to Florida.