CLEVELAND, Ohio. – Marcus Ottey hit a pair of free throws with 2.2 seconds remaining Saturday (Feb. 1), lifting the UIC men's basketball team past Cleveland State, 64-62.
 
Tied at 62-all in the closing seconds, Cleveland State's Tre Gomillion was fouled with 11.2 seconds remaining. The Viking missed the pair of free throws, with the second miss being rebounded by Michael Diggins. The ball was pushed into the frontcourt by Godwin Boahen, whose potential game-winner bounced off the rim and into the hands of Ottey. Ottey was fouled on the putback attempt and calmly knocked down his two free throws to give the Flames the two-point edge. Cleveland State's desperation heave from midcourt came up empty, giving the Flames their fifth win in the team's last six contests.
 
Ottey finished the game with 15 points and was joined in double figures by Tarkus Ferguson, who led all players Saturday with 20 points on 8-for-11 shooting. Michael Diggins nearly recorded a double-double, finishing with 10 points and eight rebounds.
 
The Flames won the rebounding battle for the seventh consecutive game, owning a 36-25 edge on the glass.
 
After five consecutive games away from home, the Flames return to Credit Union 1 Arena on Thursday, Feb. 6 to face Milwaukee. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
 
First Half Highlights

• The Flames found themselves in an early 11-3 hole before fighting back to tie things up at 11-all. Ferguson and Boahen combined to score all eight points in the UIC run, trading off four consecutive field goals.
• Ferguson continued his hot shooting down the stretch of the first half, scoring UIC's final eight points of the half with a pair of 3-pointers and a layup. The senior led all scorers in the opening half with 14 points on 6-for-8 shooting.
• UIC's defense frustrated Cleveland State's offense to the tune of 28% shooting in the opening half. The Vikings kept the game within four at the halftime break thanks largely to 10-for-11 shooting from the free throw line.

 Second Half Highlights

• Five unanswered points by the Flames early in the second half gave the visitors an eight-point lead, its largest lead of the game. Ottey, who was held scoreless in the opening half, converted a 3-point play before Braelen Bridges picked up an offensive board and laid the ensuing attempt.
• Ottey continued his hot start throughout the second half, scoring all 15 of his points in the final 20 minutes of action. His biggest points came on a game-tying 3-pointer with 37 second left and the two game-winning free throws with 2.2 seconds left.
• Of UIC's 16 rebounds in the second half, Diggins brought in nearly half of them with seven boards alone in the second frame of action.

Facts and Figures

• UIC has now won five of its last six games, including a 4-1 record in its five-game roadtrip.
• The Flames extended their streak of games outrebounding their opponent to seventh consecutive game. UIC is now 9-3 on the year when tallying more rebounds than its opponent.
• Ferguson registered his team-leading third game with 20+ points this year with his game-high 20 points.