MILWAUKEE, Wis. – A buzzer-beating layup by Milwaukee's Te'Jon Lucas was the difference in UIC's 64-62 heartbreaking defeat to the Panthers Sunday (Jan. 5) afternoon at UWM Panther Arena.
 
The Flames, who led for over 31 minutes of game action, fell behind for the first time with 3:18 remaining in the second half. Tarkus Ferguson, who led the Flames with 19 points, all in the second half, drove the length of the court for the game-tying layup with 4.2 seconds on the clock. On the ensuing play, Lucas took the inbounds pass and raced up court, getting the layup to fall as the buzzer sounded.
 
Ferguson was joined in double figures by Braelen Bridges who fell one rebound shy of a double-double with 14 points and nine boards. The Flames, who entered play as the top shot blocking team in the conference, added to their total with six on the day, including three by Ferguson.
 
UIC returns home for a nationally televised matchup against Northern Kentucky on Friday, January 10. Tipoff on ESPN2 is set for 6 p.m.
 
First Half Highlights

• The Flames got off to a quick start Sunday, scoring the first four points of the game and then using 7-0 run shortly after to build an early 13-6 lead. Bridges led the charge, scoring six of UIC's first 13 points.
• UIC's attack continued throughout the entire first half, as the Flames never trailed in the opening 20 minutes of action. Bridges, Ottey and Boahen all equally led the charge with eight points each. Bridges also controlled the glass with a game-high six rebounds in the first half.
• The Flames' defense was stingy down the stretch, limiting the Panthers to just 1-of-10 from the field over the final 5:48 of the half. Four additional points from Milwaukee from the free throw line kept the hosts within two of UIC at the break.

 
Second Half Highlights

• After being held scoreless on 0-for-2 shooting in just over 10 minutes of action in the first half due to foul trouble, Tarkus Ferguson exploded in the second half. The senior played all 20 minutes of the final frame, going 5-of-7 from the field, 3-for-4 from 3-point range and a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line. He finished the game with a team-high 19 points while adding five rebounds, four assists and three blocks.
• Milwaukee tied the score up four different times in the second half but didn't take its first lead of the half, and game, until a layup with 3:18 remaining gave the Panthers the 60-58 advantage.

 
Facts and Figures

• Ferguson's 19 points match his scoring output from the Flames' game at Green Bay back on Friday (Jan. 3). The guard has now scored 19 or more points five times this year while his 11 games in double figures lead the team.
• After scoring less than 10 points in each of his first seven appearances this season, Bridges has now scored in double figures in six of the last nine games. The 14 points match a season-high, which he has accomplished two previous times.
• The Flames featured the same starting lineup for the fourth consecutive game.
• Despite the result, UIC out-shot Milwaukee from the field, 43.5% to 31.7%. It is the fourth time this year, and second in as many games, where the Flames fell despite having a better shooting percentage.