CHICAGO — UIC freshman guard Andy Johnson poured in a career-high 21 points and junior guard Ahmad Henderson II had 20 points to propel the Flames to their fourth consecutive win, a nearly wire-to-wire 74-67 Missouri Valley Conference victory over Drake on Saturday afternoon at Credit Union 1 Arena. It was the second win for UIC (9-10, 4-4 MVC) in the last three meetings with the Bulldogs, while Johnson and Henderson became the first Flames' tandem to score 20 points in the same game since Feb. 1, 2025, when Henderson and Filip Škobalj both scored 20 points against Indiana State, also at Credit Union 1 Arena.
Except for an early 8-8 tie, UIC did not trail all afternoon, leading by as many as 15 points early in the second half. Drake (9-10, 3-5) chipped away at its deficit, getting within 56-53 at the final media timeout of the second half, but the Bulldogs elected to try and stretch the game out by fouling the Flames. UIC proved to be up to the challenge, making 12-of-16 free throws in the final 3:47 to salt away the victory.
The full box score and play-by-play recap from Saturday's win over Drake can be found here.
COACH'S COMMENTS
SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
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BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- UIC earns its second win over Drake in its last three outings against the Bulldogs (the first wins for the Flames over Drake since UIC joined the MVC in 2022-23), with both victories coming at Credit Union 1 Arena (74-70 on Jan. 1, 2025). Drake leads the all-time series, 11-4, but now has a slim 4-3 edge in Chicago.
- All told, 11 of the 15 series games between UIC and Drake have been decided by single digits, including the last six at Credit Union 1 Arena.
- Johnson becomes the fifth UIC player to score 20 points in a game this season, joining Henderson (4 with today's output), Abdul Momoh, Josiah Hammons and Ante Beljan (one apiece).
- Johnson and Henderson became the first Flames' tandem to score 20 points in the same game since Feb. 1, 2025, when Henderson and Filip Škobalj both scored 20 points against Indiana State, also at Credit Union 1 Arena.
- The Flames knocked down 10 three-pointers, their highest mark from distance since the Dec. 21 overtime loss at Charlotte (also 10).
- Mekhi Lowery posted a season-high three blocks, one off his career high set against Campbell on Jan. 20, 2024, when he was playing for Towson.
- Momoh had two blocks, his ninth game this year with multiple swats.
- Elijah Crawford grabbed a career-high eight rebounds, doubling his previous best of four against Queens on Nov. 13, 2024 (when he was attending BYU). Crawford also recorded at least five assists for the third time in four games (six today).Â
UP NEXT: EVANSVILLE
The Flames remain at home Tuesday to take on Evansville at 7 p.m. (CT) inside Credit Union 1 Arena. The game will be televised live on Marquee Sports Network and ESPN+, with free live radio on the Flames Network at
UICFlames.com. Early-arriving fans can also pick up a free UIC athletics t-shirt.
GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!
UIC basketball season and single-game tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster (Men's Basketball or Women's Basketball), UICFlames.com/Tickets or by contacting the UIC Athletics Ticket Office at (312) 413-UIC1 (8421) or athleticsticketing@uic.edu. UIC students are admitted free for all Flames' home games.
In addition, the US Solar Courtside Club is open for each game at Credit Union 1 Arena, with Club passes available for purchase through the UIC Athletics Ticket Office or at the Courtside Club entrance on game nights. Located just steps away from the action on the event level at Credit Union 1 Arena, the US Solar Courtside Club provides a premium experience for all UIC basketball fans, including enhanced food and beverage options. The Club also offers luxury seating and flat-screen televisions, and fans will have earlier access to the arena through a dedicated separate gate entrance, allowing them to get a quicker start on supporting their Flames each and every night.
FOLLOW THE FLAMES
For more information on UIC men's basketball, fans are encouraged to visit UICFlames.com, or follow the Flames on social media through X (@UIC_MBB and @UICFlames) and Instagram (@uic_mbb and @uicflames).
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