UIC runs away from YSU
Staff report
CHICAGO
UIC used a strong rebounding effort and converted 86 percent of their second-half free throws to defeat the Youngstown State men’s basketball team, 83-61, on Saturday afternoon at the UIC Pavilion.
The Penguins were outrebounded by the Flames, 53-26, and UIC made 18-of-21 free throws in the second half to seal its first Horizon League win.
Youngstown State (7-14, 1-10) lost its eighth straight league game.
The Flames (6-16, 1-9) avenged a 71-69 loss to YSU on Dec. 30.
Sophomore Blake Allen led the PenPenguins with 14 while senior Vytas Sulskis added 11 points.
Over an eight-minute span in the second half, the Flames turned a tie game, 38-38 into a 17-point advantage, 65-48, with 8:43 to go.
The Flames converted 13 straight free throws during the 27-10 run to put the game out of reach.
In the first half, the Penguins and Flames battled through two ties and five lead changes before the Flames led 34-32 at the intermission.
The Penguins took a 23-18 lead after a DuShawn Brooks 3-pointer at the 9:50 mark before the Flames scored nine straight points to a take a four-point lead, 27-23.
Junior Ashen Ward drained a 3-pointer at the 6:45 mark to cut the deficit to one, 27-26.
The Flames again built a six-point, 32-26, before another 3-pointer by Ward, a jumper by Sulskis and a free throw by Tre Brewer brought the Penguins within two, 34-32, at the half.
The Penguins, who made nine 3-pointers, return home to host Butler at 7:05 p.m. Thursday. YSU lost its first game to the Bulldogs, 84-79, on Jan. 9.