CHICAGO – The UIC men's basketball team returned to action Tuesday night, as they hosted Prairie View A&M at Credit Union 1 Arena. Despite a short-handed back-court without the services of Jalen Jackson and Tre Anderson, the Flames rallied together to earn a hard-fought win Tuesday night, their second in a row.





1^st HALF

• The Flames opened the game with an early lead, partially due to an early four points from freshman center Cameron Fens.
• Just before the 13:00 mark of the first half, the Flames mounted a 8-0 run, pushing their lead to six at 12-6.
• The Panthers used the three ball to cut the deficit, as they made their first three tries from beyond the arc in the first eight minutes of the game.
• Hegel Augustin paced the Panthers early in the first frame, as the graduate guard amassed 11 points in the game's first nine minutes.
• The Flames used the hot hand of Steven Clay to build on their lead, as the freshman guard made his first three attempts from behind the arc.
• In the first half alone, the Flames shot a staggering 62% from the behind three-point line.
• UIC's largest lead of the half (nine points) came with 5:51 remaining in the period, and the Flames would go into the locker room with a five-point advantage.

 
2^nd HALF

• The Flames continued their quality three-point shooting early in the second half, making two of their first three behind the arc.
• At the 11-minute mark, the Flames pushed their lead to 10, on the heels of more great guard play, this time from sophomore Jace Carter who scored a quick five points in the second half.
• The Panthers also went cold from behind the arc in half number two, at one point going 1 for 10 after starting the game 3 for 3
• Toby Okani helped get the Flames to the finish line, adding nine second half points to the seven he scored in the opening frame.
• The Flames used the free-throw line to help ice the game, going 9 for 12 from the charity stripe on the night.

 
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Steven Clay's nine first half points were enough for a new career-high for the freshman, who logged 16 minutes in the Flames win.
• All three of Clay's made three pointers were assisted by Toby Okani.
• Jace Carter played a season-high 40 minutes Tuesday, scoring in double digits (15) for the seventh game in a row.

UP NEXT
The Flames will remain in Chicago for the week, as they are set to host Northeastern on Sunday afternoon at Credit Union 1 Arena. Tip-off on Sunday is set for 1:00 p.m. central time, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+.