Toby Okani posted his third double-double, and three additional Flames scored in double figures, but UIC was unable to overcome a slow first half Saturday night, and fell to Drake in a Missouri Valley Conference game, 77-64.

The Flames went on a 25-6 run over an eight minute span in the second half, punctuated by an Okani dunk and a Jace Carter offensive rebound and putback.  That narrowed the deficit to 12, and a Carter 3-pointer got the Flames to within 11 with just over a minute left.  But Jalen Jackson was whistled for an offensive foul, nullifying a crucial possession in the final seconds, and Drake held on for the win.

Okani finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds, making it to double digits on the glass for the second straight game and third time in the last four outings.  Carter led the Flames with 18 points, and Jackson and Christian Jones each had 10.  For the freshman Jones, his 10 points and two three-pointers were season highs.



Jaden Brownell made back-to-back 3-pointers in a 30-second span to help the Flames close the gap.  He finished with three triples, tying his season high.  As a team, UIC hit seven of 14 3-pointers in the second half as they tried to chip away at a Drake lead that topped out at 33.  But Drake did just enough 3-point shooting of their own to keep the Flames from coming all the way back.  The hosts connected on 42% of their threes in the second half.

The Flames kept things even in the early stages.  Okani had four early points, including a jumper to tie things up at 6, but Drake embarked on a 23-6 run.  UIC connected on just 24% of their first half field goals, and their 19 points in the period were a season low for any half.  By contrast, their 45 points in a second half that saw them shoot 47% from the floor tied their season high.

UIC will have a week off for final exams, and will return to action next Saturday at Western Michigan.