CHICAGO – A pair of UIC Flames have been recognized by the Horizon League for their outstanding performance in victories over Northern Arizona and Roosevelt last week. Junior Tai Odiase has been named the League's Player of the Week, while newcomer Godwin Boahen captured Freshman of the Week honors, the conference announced Monday.
 
Odiase was instrumental in helping the Flames get past the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks on Dec. 20. The Glenwood, Ill., native registered his second consecutive double-double behind a career-high 24 points and a season-high 11 rebounds. He shot 80 percent (8-of-10) from the field, while also matching a career high with eight points from the charity stripe against NAU.
 
Forty-eight hours later, Odiase helped UIC to a convincing 91-53 victory over Roosevelt to close nonconference play on Thursday. The center netted 18 points and seven rebounds in 23 minutes against the Lakers. For the week, Odiase averaged 21 points, nine rebounds and two blocks while helping the Flames go 2-0 at the UIC Pavilion before the holiday break.
 
Boahen, the shortest player on the roster at 5-feet-11-inches, accomplished something that no other player has done in the Division I era at UIC when he posted a triple-double against Roosevelt on Dec. 22. He scored 13 points, secured 12 rebounds and dished out 11 assists against the Lakers. Boahen's 12 rebounds and 11 assists not only mark personal career highs, but they are also single-game bests in those categories for anyone on the Flames this year.
 
The Toronto, Ontario, native also had a solid showing against Northern Arizona in the game prior. Boahen tallied nine points, five rebounds and five assists in a 10-point win over the Lumberjacks.
 
This is Odiase's second career Horizon League Player of the Week honor. He also claimed the recognition on Feb. 15, 2016. It is the first Player of the Week accolade for any UIC player during the 2016-17 season. It is Boahen's first career Horizon League Freshman of the Week honor, but he is the second player on UIC's roster to receive the nod this season. Classmate and countryman Marcus Ottey was named the Horizon League Freshman of the Week on Nov. 21. Finally, this is the second time that UIC has swept weekly honors in as many seasons under head coach Steve McClain. When Odiase was named Co-Player of the Week on Feb. 15, 2016, Dikembe Dixson also won one of his eight Horizon League Freshman of the Week awards a year ago.
 
Boahen, Odiase and the rest of the Flames will begin Horizon League play on Friday, Dec. 30, when they entertain the Valparaiso Crusaders at the UIC Pavilion in a nationally televised game. Tickets are still available by calling 312-413-UIC1 (8421) or visiting the online Box Office today.