YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Michael Diggins' offensive rebound and tip-in beat the buzzer and gave the UIC men's basketball team a thrilling 67-66 victory over Youngstown State Friday (Jan. 22) evening.
 
Trailing by one with less than 10 seconds remaining, the Penguins (7-8, 3-8 Horizon League) missed a pair of free throws, giving the Flames (8-4, 5-2) one final shot. As Teyvion Kirk's three-point attempt began to fall short, Diggins rose up uncontested in the paint and tipped in the miss just before the buzzer, sending the UIC bench into a frenzy.
 
Friday's finish was fitting for the game, as the contest between the Flames and Penguins featured six ties and 13 lead changes while neither team led by more than seven points.
 
Diggins' offensive rebound on the final possession gave the senior his second double-double of the season, as the native of Las Vegas, Nevada finished the game with 12 points and 10 rebounds. He was joined by Kirk who recorded his team-leading fifth double-double of the year with 15 points and 10 boards. Rob Howard added 15 points while Braelen Bridges added in 10 points off the bench.
 
Friday marked the first time two players had a double-double in a game since Tarkus Ferguson and Jordan Blount did so against Detroit Mercy on March 2, 2019. The buzzer-beater was UIC's first since Travell Washington broke a tie score with a 3-pointer at Wright State on Dec. 28, 2018.
 
How It Happened – First Half

• After the Penguins scored the first basket of the game, UIC ripped off nine consecutive points to take a 9-2 lead. Howard led the charge with a triple and was followed by a pair of baskets from Kirk and then a Diggins alley-oop off the feed from Kirk.
• The Flames held their lead until Youngstown Sate used a 7-0 run to even the score at 15-all with 8:45 remaining in the first half.
• The home team continued its charge, building its largest of the half at seven with a 27-20 advantage with 4:10 to go and led by three heading into the break.
• Howard was connecting from deep in the first half, going a perfect 3-for-3 from long distance.

 
How It Happened – Second Half

• Tied at 51-all with 9:59 to go in the game, UIC used a 7-0 scoring run to take a 58-51 lead. Kirk scored five unanswered points before Diggins added the final two.
• The Penguins once again responded, coming back and taking a four-point lead with just under a minute and a half to go.
• Jamie Ahale connected from deep with 38 seconds left, trimming the deficit to one. After a pair of missed free throws by Youngstown State with eight seconds left, Diggins hauled in the rebound and pushed the ball to Kirk. Kirk's 3-point attempt was falling short when Diggins rose up for the offensive rebound and tip-in to beat the buzzer.

 
News and Notes

• Friday marked the first time two players had a double-double in a game since Tarkus Ferguson and Jordan Blount did so against Detroit Mercy on March 2, 2019.
• The buzzer-beater was UIC's first since Travell Washington broke a tie score in overtime with a 3-pointer at Wright State on Dec. 28, 2018.
• Kirk now has a team-leading five double-doubles on the year while Diggins recorded his second.
• The Flames improved to 5-1 this year in games decided by five points or less.