INDIANAPOLIS – Thanks to a timely three-pointer by Filip Skobalj and perfect free throw shooting from Kevin Johnson, the UIC men's basketball team picked up its first Horizon League victory of the season with a 67-65 decision over IUPUI.
 
With the game tied at 60-all, Skobalj drilled a three from the top of the key to put the Flames ahead in the closing seconds. The freshman then gave way to the veteran Johnson who went a perfect 4-for-4 from the line in the final 18 seconds. In total, Johnson finished the game 8-for-8 from the charity stripe, with all eight free throws coming in the final 2:14 of action.
 
Johnson led all scorers with a game-high 17 points to go along with six assists, three steals and a pair of rebounds. He was joined in double figures by Zion Griffin who added 15 and Jace Carter who chipped in a season-high 11.
 
The Flames, who never led by more than three points in Monday's contest, scored six consecutive points to take an early 9-8 lead. Griffin converted an old-fashioned 3-point play before Jalen Johnson knocked down a corner 3-pointer. The lead would see-saw back and forth, with the lead changing hands five times in the opening 20 minutes. Kevin Johnson scored UIC's final five points of the opening half, with a late Jaguar layup trimming the Flames' lead to one at the break.
 
The Jaguars slowly built momentum in the first 10 minutes of the second half, building a lead as large as eight with 8:10 to go. UIC promptly responded with an 8-0 run over 1:53 to tie things up at 50-all with 6:26 to play. Griffin started and ended the run with a pair of buckets while Jalen Warren connected on a 3-point play. The Flames, who had not led since the 16:57 mark of the second half, grabbed a lead at the 1:55 mark after Kevin Johnson hit a pair of free throws to put UIC up 58-56.
 
IUPUI clawed back to tie things up at 60 with under a minute remaining when Skobalj connected from the top of the key for a crucial three, putting the Flames up 63-60 with 36 seconds left. Johnson clinched the game from the free throw line, preventing the Jaguars to regain the lead.
 
UIC remains on the road, taking on Milwaukee and Green Bay next weekend. The Flames will first make the quick trip across the border to face the Panthers on Thursday, Jan. 13.
 
News and Notes

• Carter made his first career start Monday as the Flames used their eighth different starting lineup of the season, and sixth in their last six games. Carter was joined by Griffin, Skobalj, Johnson and Jamie Ahale.
• Seven different players combined to hit nine UIC three-pointers. Griffin and Ahale hit two each while five other players connected on one.
• The Flames shot a blistering 59.1% from the field in the second half, including a 76.9% effort from inside the 3-point line.
• Skobalj led the way with a game-high eight rebounds, including three on the offensive glass.