MURRAY, Ky. — UIC freshman guard Rashund Washington Jr. posted his second career double-double with career highs of 22 points and 12 rebounds, and junior guard Ahmad Henderson II added 20 points, but it wasn't quite enough as the Flames saw their eight-game winning streak come to an end with an 81-74 Missouri Valley Conference loss to No. 14 (Mid-Major) Murray State on Tuesday night at the CFSB Center in Murray, Ky.
UIC (13-11, 8-5 MVC) battled through foul trouble throughout the night, most notably just 88 seconds into the game when sophomore guard Elijah Crawford, who entered Tuesday's contest as the Flames' leader at 12.6 points and 4.3 assists per game, was ejected for a flagrant-2 foul following a lengthy video review. Yet, UIC hung tough and kept within single digits of the Racers for the majority of the first half, trailing just 40-33 at the break. The Flames got as close as 47-45 on two Washington free throws with 13:48 to play before MSU (17-7, 9-4) extended its lead out to 16 points near the eight-minute mark. Still, UIC wouldn't go down quietly and scrapped all the way back to 77-74 on a dunk by graduate student forward Abdul Momoh with 16.3 seconds to play. However, Murray State made four foul shots in the final seconds to finally settle matters.
The full box score and play-by-play recap from Tuesday's game at Murray State can be found here.
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SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
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BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- UIC had two players score 20 points in the same game for the first time since Jan. 17, when freshman guard Andy Johnson (21 points) and Henderson (20 points) pulled off that feat in a win over Drake at Credit Union 1 Arena.
- Washington's prior double-double came on Jan. 20 at home in a win against Evansville when he had 10 points and 10 rebounds (the latter being his prior rebounding career high).
- Washington's previous scoring high was 16 points at Robert Morris on Nov. 26.
- Washington's 12 rebounds were the second most by a UIC player this year. Redshirt freshman forward Jayce Nathaniel had 14 boards against Arkansas Pine Bluff on Dec. 3 at Credit Union 1 Arena.
- Henderson registered his fifth 20-point game of the season and first since the Jan. 17 Drake win.
- Murray State is now 7-2 all-time in the series against UIC (5-0 in Murray), although the past four matchups between the schools have each been decided by 10 points or fewer.
- UIC shot an uncharacteristic 58.6 percent at the free-throw line, its second-lowest foul shooting mark of the season (.576 at Robert Morris on Nov. 26) and unlike a Flames' squad that came into the game among the MVC leaders with a .742 free-throw percentage.
- Murray State was the 11th UIC opponent to be ranked or receiving votes in the College Insider Mid-Major Top 25 poll.
- UIC's five losses in MVC play this year have all been by single digits (four against teams ranked in the top 20 of the College Insider poll), and all five have been by an average of 5.4 points per game.
- Eight of UIC's 11 losses this year have been by 10 points or fewer and/or in overtime.
- Eight of UIC's losses have come against teams ranked or receiving votes in the College Insider poll.
UP NEXT: BELMONT
The Flames return home Friday to play host to MVC leader Belmont at 8 p.m. (CT) at Credit Union 1 Arena. The game will be televised nationally on ESPNU, can be heard globally on the Flames Network at UICFlames.com and will feature a number of special promotions, including a halftime performance by Chicago rap star and social media influencer Adamn Killa, $2.60 tickets for all fans (through the UIC Athletics Ticket Office or at the arena box office on game night) and up to nine complimentary tickets for UIC faculty, staff and guests (redeem with University ID at the arena box office). UIC students are admitted free for ALL Flames' home games and are strongly encouraged to attend the Flames Force Pre-Game Party at the Student Center East Bowling Alley (6-8 p.m.) before riding one of the many complimentary campus shuttles from East Campus to Credit Union 1 Arena beginning one hour prior to tipoff.
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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