VALPARAISO, Ind. – Behind a double-double from
Damaria Franklin, the UIC men's basketball team picked up its first win of the season with a 74-70 overtime victory against Valparaiso Saturday (Nov. 13) afternoon.
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Franklin led the way with a team-high 23 points to go along while matching the game-high with 11 rebounds for his first double-double in a Flames uniform.
Kevin Johnson fell one assist shy of also recording a double-double, finishing with 17 points and nine assists.
Zion Griffin was the third Flame in double figures, adding 10 points on 5-for-8 shooting.
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After UIC took a five-point lead into the break, Valparaiso used an 11-0 run to take a 40-36 lead in the game with 14:46 to play. The Flames responded immediately after with an 11-4 scoring run.
Jamie Ahale connected on a pair of threes to go along with a layup to start the run before
Brandon Battle ended it with a 3-point play.
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The lead would shift back and forth, with UIC eventually building a 7-point lead with 4:24 to play, but the hosts scored the final seven points of regulation to force overtime.
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In the extra period, the Flames opened the scoring via a Diggins alley-oop and a Franklin layup and never looked back, leading for the entirety of overtime.
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UIC returns home for its first regular season home game of the season on Tuesday, Nov. 16 as the Flames welcome Trinity Christian to Credit Union 1 Arena. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.
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News and Notes
- After being outrebounded in its regular season opener, the Flames owned a 41-37 advantage on the glass, including an 11-5 edge on the offensive glass.
- Diggins was a force in the paint, blocking three shots on the day. Ahale picked up the fourth block for UIC.
- Freshman Filip Skobalj made his UIC debut Saturday, finishing with three points and a pair of rebounds in 11 minutes of action.
- The Flames excelled in transition against the Beacons, owning a 13-2 advantage in fast break points.
- It was a closely contested game throughout, as neither team led by more than five points during the contest. UIC led for 18:22 while Valpo led for 17:23.
