CHICAGO – Behind 21 points from Godwin Boahen, the UIC men's basketball team opened Horizon League play with a 71-66 victory over Cleveland State inside Credit Union 1 Arena Saturday (Dec. 28) afternoon.
 
Boahen, who opted to start the game coming off the bench, ended up playing the second-most minutes on the team (35:55) and led the Flames in scoring. The senior was firing on all cylinders offensively, finishing 8-for-11 from the field and 4-for-5 from beyond the arc. Braelen Bridges recorded his second double-double in four games, scoring 11 points and bringing in a game-high 13 rebounds. As a team, the Flames dominated the glass, outrebounding the Vikings 36-21.
 
Marcus Ottey had his fourth consecutive game in double figures since returning to action, finishing with 13 points, while Tarkus Ferguson added an additional 12.
 
The Flames return to action on Monday, Dec. 30, at home against Youngstown State. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. inside Credit Union 1 Arena.
 
FIRST HALF HIGHLIGHTS

• After Bridges won the opening tip, he collected his first of seven offensive rebounds on UIC's opening possession and finished in the paint to give the Flames the early 2-0 lead. It was Bridges' only offensive board in the opening half, as his final six came in the second frame.
• The Flames built their biggest lead of the half at 23-15 following a 7-2 UIC run. Ferguson began the run with a triple before an Ottey jumper and a Jordan Blount breakaway layup capped the scoring.
• The Vikings answered with a run of their own to grab their biggest advantage in the first 20 minutes at 30-27 with just over two minutes remaining, but a 9-1 run to end the half gave the Flames the 36-31 lead headed into the break.

 
SECOND HALF HIGHTLIGHTS

• A triple from Boahen opened the second half scoring, marking the first of five made triples for the Flames in the final 20 minutes. Ferguson connected from deep moments later as UIC's lead grew to nine at 42-33 with 18:28 remaining in the game.
• Boahen's second triple of the half pushed the UIC advantage to its biggest of the game at 52-42 with 13:08 remaining, forcing Cleveland State to call a timeout. Boahen finished the half a perfect 3-for-3 from long distance.
• The Vikings battled back, tying the score at 60-all with 3:56 remaining before Boahen's third triple of the half with 3:10 left put UIC in front for good. Cleveland State pulled within a point shortly after, but critical baskets in the closing seconds of the shot clock by both ottey and Blount helped seal the victory.
• UIC controlled the glass in the second half, outrebounding the Vikings by a 19-9 margin. Individually, Bridges brought in nine boards, including six on the offensive end.

 
NOTES AND NEWS

• This was the first game this year that Boahen did not start. It marked the sixth different starting lineup used by UIC this season.
• The Flames finished plus-15 on the boards Saturday, its best rebounding margin of the season. Their previous best effort was a plus-10 margin in a losing effort to DePaul on Dec. 14.
• Ottey and Ferguson entered the game 12^th and 13^th, respectively on UIC's career scoring list and each moved up a spot, surpassing Tim Anderson (1,335). Ottey now has 1,342 career points while Ferguson is two behind at 1,340.
• The Flames shot 50% or better (57.1) for the third time this season and moved to a perfect 3-0 when shooting above 50% from the field.
• UIC blocked six shots Saturday, the second-most the team has blocked in a game this year. Blount swatted away a pair while Bridges, Ottey, Ferguson and Jamie Ahale all added one each.

COMPLETE GAME HIGHLIGHTS