Flames prep for league home opener

Markese McGuire takes a shot versus Oakland Sunday.
— Photo: Jose Juarez / Oakland University Athletics

Cheer on the men’s basketball team Thursday as the Flames host Green Bay in the Horizon League home opener at 7 p.m. at the UIC Pavilion.

Tickets are free for students with i-card. Flames fans can purchase tickets by calling 312-413-8421 or on Ticketmaster.com.

Freshman forward Dikembe Dixson, who was named Horizon League Freshman of the Week, matched a career high with 28 points Sunday, but UIC did not have the firepower to keep up with Oakland, falling 86-61 at the O’rena.

The Flames struggled to score in the first half, shooting about 30 percent. They improved to shoot 43 percent in the final 20 minutes, but the halftime deficit was too great to overcome.

The Flames had some success on the defensive end in the early going, but its offensive effort sputtered at times and helped Oakland get out to a double-digit advantage. The Golden Grizzlies capitalized on 11 first-half turnovers, converting them into 15 points.

UIC took better care of the ball in the second period, with only four turnovers. Oakland was equally as protective of its possessions though, with five turnovers for the entire game.

Oakland did significant damage at the free-throw line, shooting 78 percent, while UIC shots 63 percent from the free-throw line.

Dixson’s 28 points led all scorers Sunday. Michael Kolawole, who made his first collegiate start Sunday, and Najeal Young added eight points each for UIC.