MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Behind a balanced offensive and defensive effort, the UIC men's basketball team picked up a 71-67 victory over Central Michigan Saturday afternoon in the Flames' final road game of the non-conference slate.
 
Four Flames scored in double figures, led by Kevin Johnson's 14 points. Zion Griffin and Jalen Warren added 11 each while Marcus Larsson, making his second appearance of the year and first game with significant playing time, finished perfect from the field (4-4 FG, 2-2 FT) chipped in 10 points off the bench.
 
All nine players who saw the court Saturday scored at least three points hauled in at least one rebound. Johnson led the assisting effort with four while Michael Diggins brought in a team-high seven rebounds, including four on the offensive glass.
 
The Flames, who never trailed in the contest, got the scoring started with a Filip Skobalj 3-pointer on UIC's opening possession. UIC slowly extended its lead to double-digits, with Larsson's dunk with 5:14 remaining pushing the advantage to a game-high 13-point lead. The Chippewas scored the final four points of the half via the free throw line to cut UIC's lead to eight at the break.
 
UC pushed the advantage back to 13 in the early goings of the second half before Central Michigan began to slowly claw its way back into the contest. An extended 11-2 run cut UIC's lead to four with 8:46 to play. The Flames kept CMU at bay for the better part of the second half before a late surge by Chippewas cut UIC's advantage down to just one with 28 seconds left.
 
Jalen Johnson closed the game out, scoring the final three points of the game from the free throw line while Jalen Warren blocked the Chipps' go-ahead attempt from three with five seconds left in the game.
 
UIC returns home for a city bragging rights battle against DePaul on Tuesday, Dec. 14. Fans who purchase a regularly-priced ticket to the game when UIC welcomes the Blue Demons down from Lincoln Park will receive a FREE ticket of equal value to two (2) future Flames contests. Fans can take advantage of the promotion by clicking here.
 

got the dub ?? #BringTheHeat | #FireUpFlames pic.twitter.com/y7gEVH0lrT

— UIC Men's Basketball ???? (@UIC_MBB) December 12, 2021

News and Notes

• UIC shot a season-high 29 free throw attempts while making a season-best 20, marking the most free throws made in a game under Luke Yaklich. The team's previous season best for free throws made was nine, set twice.
• The Flames owned a 39-35 advantage in rebounding, improving to 3-1 on the year when outrebounding their opponent.
• UIC defended the rim with a season-high six blocks. Diggins led the way with two while Skobalj, Warren, K. Johnson and Larsson all added one.