Nov. 29, 2008

Box Score

Chicago, Ill. - Senior center Scott VanderMeer scored all of his season-high 17 points in the second half, sparking the UIC men's basketball team to a 77-67 victory over Central Michigan on Saturday night at the UIC Pavilion.

The win was the second straight for the Flames, who improved to 3-2 on the year. The Chippewas dropped to 2-3 on the season.

VanderMeer was a key part of an impressive second half for UIC as the Flames shot 58 percent from the field and out-rebounded Central Michigan 23-9 in the final stanza to turn a two-point deficit at intermission into a 10-point victory.

"I am very pleased with our effort tonight, especially in the second half," UIC Head Coach Jimmy Collins said. "We started to slow things down and they started running the offense the way we want them to.

"It was important to get Scott involved and we also did a much better job of rebounding the basketball in the second half."

The Flames' commitment to getting the ball inside was evident with 12 of their 14 made field goals in the second half coming in the paint.

VanderMeer, who also added nine rebounds and three blocks, was one of three UIC players to score in double figures as sophomore Tori Boyd tied his personal best with 17 points while senior Josh Mayo tallied a game-high 20 points, including five three-pointers, and pulled down eight rebounds.

After trailing throughout the first half and into the early part of the second period, the Flames owned a 54-53 lead with 10:15 left when a 14-0 run keyed by six points apiece from VanderMeer and Boyd put UIC ahead to stay.

Robbie Harman led four Central Michigan players in double figures with 17 points.

UIC shot 51 percent from the field for the game and out-rebounded the Chippewas, 41-28.

The Flames will be back in action on Wednesday, December 3 when they travel to meet Vanderbilt at 7 p.m.