CHICAGO – A late DePaul run proved to be the difference-maker Tuesday (Dec. 14) as the Blue Demons pulled away for a 72-66 decision inside Credit Union 1 Arena.
 
After the Flames used a 7-0 run over 1:46 of game action to take a 66-63 lead with 3:44 to play, DePaul scored the game's final nine points to pull out the six-point victory.
 
Damaria Franklin recorded his team-leading fourth double-double of the year with a career-high 24 points to go along with a game-high 12 rebounds. Franklin was one of four Flames in double figures, as Michael Diggins scored a season-high 12 points while Jalen Warren chipped in 10 and Zion Griffin added 10 off the bench.
 
UIC came out of the gate on fire, jumping out to a quick 8-3 lead and forcing a timeout by the visitors. The lead would eventually grow to as many as 10 for the Flames, who would maintain their advantage throughout most of the first half. A late surge by the Blue Demons, including the final four points of the half, gave DePaul a 33-30 lead at the intermission.
 
In a game in which neither team led by more than eight points, DePaul slowly extended its advantage in the second half to eight with 10:22 to play. Jamie Ahale knocked down a three before Diggins converted in the lane to pull UIC back within three.
 
With DePaul clinging to a 63-59 lead with 5:28 left, the Flames used a 7-0 run to take its first lead of the second half. Warren started the run with a driving layup before Franklin converted a fastbreak layup of his own, getting fouled in the process. Franklin would convert the 3-point play before Griffin added a bucket in the post to give UIC the 66-63 lead with 3:44 left. Following a DePaul timeout, the Blue Demons would go on to score the final nine points of the game to steal Tuesday decision in the closing minutes.
 
UIC rounds out its non-conference play on Saturday, Dec. 19, at home against Northern Illinois. Tip-off inside Credit Union 1 Arena is set for 1 p.m.
 
News and Notes

• Franklin has now scored in double figures a team-leading eight times in UIC's first 10 games, while his five 20+ point performances are also tops on the team. The Chicago native has accounted all four of UIC's double-double performances this year.
• The Flames were efficient in the paint Tuesday, going 22-for-33 (66.7%) from inside the arc.
• Warren nearly recorded his first double-double of the year, dishing out a game-high eight assists to go along with his 11 points. Warren fell one assist shy of matching the DePaul assist total in the game (9).
• The back-and-forth game featured 11 ties and five lead changes.