INDIANAPOLIS -- UIC's NCAA Tournament dreams were dashed Tuesday night, as Northern Kentucky defeated the Flames 71-62 in the Horizon League Championship.

The Norse solved the Flames' defense, which had allowed just 32% shooting throughout the conference tournament.  NKU made 50% from the field.  UIC shot 44%, but they had 18 turnovers and never got into a comfortable offensive rhythm.

Northern Kentucky led for most of the game, though the Flames got to within four points with 14 minutes to play.  The Norse, whose defense trailed only UIC's for stingiest in the league, put together a run and led by double digits for most of the second half.

Four Flames scored in double figures, led by Tarkus Ferguson's 15 points.  Michael Diggins had 13, Marcus Ottey had 12, and Jordan Blount scored 10. Ferguson and Diggins were named to the All-Tournament Team for their efforts over the course of UIC's four games.

First Half Highlights

• Jordan Blount did a little of everything early in the game.  He scored six of the team's first 10 points, and assisted on another bucket.  He also grabbed two rebounds as the Flames tried to find their footing.
• Northern Kentucky made eight of 11 shots, extending their lead to nine and forcing Steve McClain to call timeout.  UIC's defense made a couple of statements after the stoppage.  Jamie Ahale drew a charge, and the team forced a long, errant three at the end of the shot clock.
• Snappy passing led to a Michael Diggins layup to cut the deficit to five.  The Norse went on a run after that, and it took a big three by Tarkus Ferguson to get the deficit under 10.  The Flames could do no better than tread water the rest of the half, as Diggins' late move in the lane for a bank shot was answered by a Norse buzzer beater.

Second Half Highlights

• The Flames came out of the locker room with a burst of energy.  The first two possessions saw a Blount rebound and a Norse shot clock violation, and Ferguson drew a charge soon after.
• Turnovers plagued UIC, and NKU capitalized by increasing their lead to 15.  Diggins was instrumental during a 14-3 run that gave the UIC contingent something to cheer about.  He nailed a three and a short jumper, rejected a shot forcefully leading to a runout, and assisted on a Ferguson triple.
• Northern Kentucky responded with an 11-0 run during which UIC missed eight straight shots and committed three turnovers.
• Fighting to the end, UIC forced four turnovers in the backcourt in the waning minutes.  They earned trips to the free throw line and shaved six points off the final margin.

Facts and Figures

• UIC was making its first conference championship game appearance since 2004.
• Diggins and Ferguson tied for team high rebounding honors with seven apiece.
• UIC's 18 turnovers were its most in the last eight games.
• The Flames held a 37-24 advantage on the glass, including a 12-4 margin in offensive rebounds.
• Blount had personal tournament highs in points and rebounds (5).
• Ottey increased his career total to 1,579, one point ahead of Brian Hill for ninth in school history.
• The Flames handed out only eight assists.  It was just the second time all season they were held under 10.
• Ottey's six rebounds matched his season high.