By Austin Duncan
CHICAGO, Ill- The Illinois State Redbirds men’s basketball team used a second half 16-2 run to erase the University of Illinois-Chiacgo Flames’ eight point lead and secure a 72-60 victory at the UIC Pavilion.
UIC’s Dominique Matthews scored the first five points, giving the Flames an early 5-2 lead.
Illinois State took its first lead of the game when sophomore forward Mikyle McIntosh took a rebound coast to coast, got fouled, and converted on the free throw, giving the Redbirds a 7-5 lead at the 15:20 mark.
The ISU run would be halted by a pair of three pointers from UIC’s Dikembe Dixson and Matthews to cut the Redbird lead to 12-11 with 13:00 to play in the half.
UIC regained the lead momentarily on a layup from Jake Wiegand to make the score 15-14. On ISU’s next possession McIntosh connected on one of two free throws to tie the game.
The Redbirds did not make a three-point basket until the 6:32 mark, when freshman guard Roland Griffin scored to give ISU a 22-20 lead.
The Flames ignited once again from three-point land to take a 27-24 lead with 4:41 to play in the first half.
Neither team gained could gain an advantage in the first half, which had eight lead changes. The Flames led by as many as four, while the Redbirds led by as much as three as UIC led 31-28 at the half.
The Flames came out firing in the second half, as Paris Burns, high school teammate of ISU’s junior guard Paris Lee, hit a jump shot to give UIC a 40-37 led at the 15:55 mark of the second half.
Sparked by a Burns three-pointer, UIC used a 9-2 run to take its biggest lead of the game at 47-39 with 13:16 to play.
Illinois State answered with a 13-2 run, including eight points from Lee to give the Redbirds its biggest lead of the game at that point, 54-49 with 9:00 remaining.
The Redbirds continued to add on to its lead, expanding it to 61-50, including an alley-oop from Lee to senior guard Devaughn Akoon-Purcell.
ISU’s Hawkins gave hit the team’s second three-pointer of the game with 5:15 to play, expanding its lead to 13.
The Redbirds were paced in scoring by Akoon-Purcell and Lee, who scored 18 and 17 points respectively. McIntosh was the only other Redbird in double figures added 14 points and a team high 11 rebounds.
Illinois State made just two three-pointers, but improved shooting from the free throw line connecting on 20 of 30 attempts.
The Redbirds shared the ball well once again, collecting 14 assists on 25 baskets.
Led by senior forward Quintin Brewer’s two blocks the Redbirds combined for a season-high nine blocks.
The Flames’ were led by Matthews’ 20 points while Dixson posted a double-double with 12 points, and 10 rebounds. Burns was the only other member of UIC in double figures with 14 points.
UIC made 19 of 23 free throws, and was outrebounded 47-39.
With the win, ISU improves to 5-6 on the season, and wins its first consecutive games of the season.
UIC falls to 1-7 with the loss.
The Redbirds return to action Saturday when it travels to Philadelphia to take on St. Joseph. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Redbird Preview will begin at noon.
Listen to postgame comments from head coach Dan Muller and junior guard Paris Lee here.
