CHICAGO – UIC closed out its nonconfence slate Sunday (Dec. 13) afternoon, taking on city rival Loyola. Four Flames scored in double figures, but it was not enough as UIC fell, 77-66, to the Ramblers inside Credit Union 1 Arena.
 
Teyvion Kirk led the way offensively with 17 points, including 11 in the second half, while Michael Diggins fell a rebound shy of his first double-double of the season with 16 points and nine rebounds. Appearing in his first contest in over a year, Rob Howard added 11 points off the bench and Zion Griffin chipped in 10.
 
The Ramblers, picked to finish second in the Missouri Valley, jumped out to an early 19-8 lead before an extended 14-4 Flames run put UIC within one at 23-22 with 7:52 to play. The visitors held off UIC's run, taking an eight-point lead into the break, and led by at least six points for the entire second half.
 
UIC turns its attention to the start of Horizon League play, with their Flames opening their conference slate Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 19-20) at home against Oakland.
 
How It Happened – First Half

• Rob Howard, who had not appeared in a game since March 5, 2019 due to injury, checked into the game with 15:36 left in the first half and promptly drilled a three on his first attempt.
• The triple by Howard was part of an extended 14-4 UIC run, cutting Loyola's lead down to one and forcing a Rambler timeout.
• Diggins led the way offensively for the Flames in the first 20 minutes, scoring a team-high 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including 2-for-2 from long distance.
• Loyola built its lead back up to 10 in the closing seconds before a Maurice Commander baseline jumper trimmed the halftime deficit to eight at 41-33.

 
How It Happened – Second Half

• Braelen Bridges opened the second half with a jumper to trim the Rambler lead down to six, the closest UIC would get in the second half. Eleven unanswered points by Loyola forced a UIC timeout and turned the momentum of the game.
• Kirk paced the Flames' offense in the second half, finishing with a team-high 11 points and four assists of the final 20 minutes.
• Howard continued to impress in his first action of the year, scoring eight second-half points thanks to a pair of 3-pointers and two from the free throw line.

 
News and Notes

• Diggins' 16 points are a new season high, topping the 13 points scored in UIC's last contest at Ball State.
• Kirk has now scored 10 or more points in four of UIC's five games this season.
• UIC shot 47.3% from the field, its highest field goal percentage of the season. The Flames' 26 made field goals also set a new season high.