Wright State University
11-19, 3-13HL
UIC
8-23, 4-12HL
Men Fall in Regular-Season Finale at UIC
2/28/2015 5:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The Wright State men's basketball team dropped its regular-season finale at UIC Saturday 61-46.
WSU led 10-6 early following a Michael Karena basket, only to see the Flames go in front to stay with a 12-0 run over a five-minute span. The Raiders closed to within four twice in the final minutes of the first half before a Tai Odiase layup gave UIC a 24-18 halftime advantage.
The Flames shot 36 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes compared to 33 percent for Wright State.
A JT Yoho three cut the deficit to 28-27 with 16:11 to play and the Raiders only trailed by four following a Reggie Arceneaux layup at the 10:47 mark.
WSU would get no closer, however, as nine consecutive points, including threes by Ahman Fells and Jason McClellan, pushed the UIC lead into double figures at 46-33. with 6:17 remaining.
The Flames maintained that double digit advantage the rest of the way despite not making a field goal over the final 7:12 thanks to making 17 of 18 foul shots.
Wright State shot 38 percent for the game compared to 35 percent for UIC, but the Flames hit 24 of 27 free throws, 20 of 22 in the second half, while the Raiders were just three of five.
Yoho, in his first game back since January 14, led WSU with nine points off the bench while Joe Thomasson and Grant Benzinger had eight each.
Marc Brown paced UIC with 18 points while Jay Harris had 12 points, all at the foul line, with eight assists.
Wright State (11-19, 3-13 Horizon) will face UIC (8-23, 4-12 Horizon) again on the road in the first round of the Horizon League Tournament on Tuesday, March 3, as the #7 seed Raiders take on the #6 seed Flames at 8:00 Eastern. The winner faces #3 seed Oakland in the second round on Friday, March 6, at 7:00 Eastern in Valparaiso, Indiana.
