DAYTON, Ohio – A shorthanded UIC squad took to the court for the first in 18 days due to health and safety protocols Thursday evening, taking on Wright State inside the Nutter Center. Down three key contributors, the Flames dropped a 90-72 decision to the Raiders.
 
Kevin Johnson led the way, scoring a team-high 19 points on 8-of-16 shooting to go along with three assists. He was joined in double figures by Zion Griffin who scored 18 and Filip Skobalj who recorded his second-career 10+ point performance with a season best 11 points. The freshman also led UIC's rebounding effort with six, including a pair on the offensive glass.
 
The Flames jumped out to the early 9-2 lead in the first four minutes of the game, limiting the Raiders to just 1-for-7 shooting to open the contest. A 3-pointer by Skobalj opened the scoring before buckets by Johnson and Brandon Battle followed. The Raiders countered with a jumper before Griffin became the fourth Flame to score in the opening flurry of action.
 
Six unanswered by Wright State would even things up at 11-all and the teams would trade buckets back and forth, with a Johnson layup putting the visitors back in front by a 20-19 margin with 9:08 remaining in the half. The Raiders would take the lead for good on the ensuing possession and built the lead up to nine in the closing minutes before Johnson beat the buzzer with a jumper in the lane to pull the Flames within seven at the break.
 
Wright State opened the second half outscoring UIC 14-7 and eventually grew the lead to as many as 21. The Flames fought down to the wire, eventually trimming the deficit down to 10 with 4:28 to play but were unable to close the gap any further as the Raiders pulled away late.
 
News and Notes

• UIC used its fifth different lineup in its last five games, and seventh unique lineup this season Thursday when Brandon Battle and Jamie Ahale joined Griffin, Skobalj and Johnson in the starting lineup. It was Battle's first career start with the Flames.
• The Flames connected on 13 3-pointers in the contest, falling one shy of their season-high mark of 14 set against Hawaii. Six different players made a triple, led by Griffin's four.
• Griffin scored in double figures for the eighth time this season in 12 contests while Johnson had his sixth double-figure effort of the season.
• Skobalj's six boards were one shy of matching his season-best of seven, which he set against Detroit Mercy.