CHICAGO -- While it took five extra minutes to decide, the UIC Flames were up to the task Saturday evening as they outlasted the visiting Robert Morris Colonials in overtime, 66-62.

The game was tied at 56 at the end of regulation and the Flames won the tip to gain possession first. Rob Howard scored inside to give UIC a lead it would not relinquish. On the other end the senior blocked a shot before scoring once again off a feed from Maurice Commander.

At least three Flames scored in double figures for the second time in as many nights led by Howard's 18 points. Commander and Teyvion Kirk was added 15 points, while grabbing eight rebounds apiece. Both marked season highs for Commander.

After holding Robert Morris (3-5, 2-3 Horizon League) to 30% from the field in Friday's win, the defensive effort was nearly as staunch on Saturday. The Colonials shot only 33% for the game and they were limited to 19 field goals. In the two-game set RMU shot 11% (3-for-27) from beyond the arc.

Saturday's win marked the first overtime victory of the season under head coach Luke Yaklich. The Flames also improved to 4-0 against Horizon League foes at Credit Union 1 Arena this season and 6-1 overall.
 
How It Happened – First Half

• The Flames jumped out to an early 11-4 lead, with Howard getting Saturday's scoring going with a layup in the paint. The big man would go on to score six of UIC's first 11 points.
• As both teams struggled to get any rhythm going offensively, the Colonials would eventually come back from their seven-point deficit and build a seven-point lead of their own at 28-21 with 3:33 to go.
• UIC responded, outscoring Robert Morris 10-2 over the final minutes of the game. Commander, in his best game as a member of the Flames, led the charge with four points thanks to a 3-pointer and a free throw. The 10-2 run gave the home team a slim 31-30 lead headed into the break.
• Both teams struggled offensively in the opening half, as Robert Morris shot 37% from the field (0-for-3 from beyond the arc) while the Flames were held to just 34.6% shooting from the field.

 
How It Happened – Second Half

• UIC scored the first six points of the second half, with a pair of Michael Diggins baskets serving as bookends to a Howard layup.
• The Flames held the lead for the remainder of the half until Robert Morris' Kahliel Spear converted in the paint with 1:51 left to give the Colonials a 56-55 lead.
• After Robert Morris missed a pair of free throws with 1:07 left, Diggins brought in the defensive rebound and was fouled in the process. The senior split a pair from the charity stripe, sending the game to overtime at 56-all.

 
How It Happened – Overtime

• Howard set the tone in the extra period, scoring UIC's first four points to give the Flames a lead that they would not relinquish.
• On two separate occasions, Robert Morris trimmed UIC's lead to two. Each time, Commander was sent to the line where the junior went a perfect 4-for-4 to seal UIC's victory.

 
News and Notes

• Commander had his best game with the Flames, setting season highs in points (15), rebounds (8) and assists (3), while playing a career-high 43 minutes.
• Howard had his fourth game in double figures, finishing with a team-high 18 points on 6-for-10 shooting. The big man also got it done at the line, going 5-for-6 from the free throw line.
• Kirk scored in double figures for the ninth time in 11 games this season.
• For the sixth time this season, UIC held its opponent to less than 40% shooting from the field and improved to 5-1 when doing so.
• The 18 made free throws by the Flames set a new season high.
• UIC improved to 6-1 at Credit Union 1 Arena this year and a perfect 4-0 mark against Horizon League foes.