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Men's Basketball Opens Season With 72-59 Win Over UIS
Nov. 14, 2009
CHICAGO- Zavion Neely scored a career-high 19 points and K.C. Robbins had a double-double in UIC's 72-59 season-opening win over visiting UIS at the UIC Pavilion on Saturday. Robo Kreps added a well-rounded game of 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists for the Flames (1-0), who won their fourth consecutive home lid-lifter. Richard Oruche led the visiting Prairie Stars (0-1) with 14 points. Neely was active on both sides of the court. He displayed an array of offensive penetration and jump-shooting that helped him finish 7-for-13 from the floor, while his hustle on defense was very evident. Robbins, a 6-foot-11, 270-pound junior college transfer making his UIC debut, had 12 points and 13 rebounds in 26 minutes. The Maine native nearly had the double-double at halftime after posting eight points and nine rebounds heading into intermission after coming off the bench for starting center Louis Green, who picked up two early fouls. UIC built a 14-point halftime lead by ending the first on a 15-5 run. The
Flames never looked back, going ahead by as many as 22 with just over six minutes left in the second half on back-to-back treys by Neely and Chris Buchanan off of feeds from Kreps.
The hosts shot 45.3 percent (29-for-64) from the floor for the game, spurred by a 50 percent (16-for-32) showing in the final period. The Flames were without senior starters Jeremy Buttell and Kris Harris, who were serving one-game suspensions for violating team rules. "I'm very, very pleased with the outcome," said UIC head coach Jimmy Collins. "Given that we were shorthanded today, the guys that played really did a good job. They hustled and moved their feet and communicated well. "If we can build on this performance and continue to play like that, we have good possibilities." Collins applauded the efforts of Robbins, who rebounded from a foul-plagued showing in an exhibition against Lewis on Tuesday with a solid performance against UIS. "We talked about intensity and playing tougher," Collins said. "If K.C. and our entire team can become consistent in those areas, we are going to be very tough." Buttell and Harris will return for the Flames' next game at Central Michigan on Wednesday. That game will tip at 6 p.m. Central. Fans can listen to podcasts featuring exclusive interviews with UIC head coaches, staff and student-athletes in two ways: 1. Download the free UIC Athletics Widget and click on the "UIC Flames Podcasts" link 2. Download podcasts for free on iTunes by searching "UIC Flames." Fans wishing to learn more about affordable and flexible UIC ticket plans are encouraged to call 312-413-UIC1 or visit www.uicflames.com and click on the "Tickets" tab on the Flames home page. |
