Box Score CHICAGO – The UIC men's basketball team opened the 2023 calendar year at home on Wednesday, as they hosted the Belmont Bruins at Credit Union 1 Arena. In a back and forth contest, the Flames struggled to keep the Bruins off the scoreboard, falling in their second consecutive Missouri Valley Conference game by a final score of 77-71.
 
FIRST HALF

• The Flames opened up the first half on a good note defensively, holding the Bruins under 40 percent from the field in their first 16 attempts.
• UIC's strong defense kept them in the game early on, as the first half featured 10 lead changes and two ties.
• The Flames would enter the locker room trailing by just four at 35-31.

 
SECOND HALF

• The Bruins came out of the locker room firing in the second half, extending their lead to as many as 10 at the 16:37 mark of the second half.
• Jace Carter entered double digits in scoring by the 15 minute mark of the second half, pacing all UIC scorers at the time with 12.
• Jalen Jackson set a new season-high in assists with six on the night.
• The Flames would go on a 8-0 run before the eight minute mark, but the Bruins would answer with their own 8-0 run immediately following to extend the lead back to 12.
• The Bruins kept the pedal to the floor late in the second half, as their 45% shooting percentage for the game helped them coast to the victory.

 
 
UP NEXT
The Flames will continue Missouri Valley Conference play this weekend, as they will head to Terre Haute, Ind. to take on Indiana State. Saturday's contest against the Sycamores is set to tip off at 1:00 p.m. CT. Catch the audio broadcast with Jonathan Hood and Kenny Williams using the "Listen" link on the men's basketball schedule page.