Turnovers plague men’s basketball
The men’s basketball team takes on Valparaiso at 7 p.m. today. Photo: Steve Woltmann
The men’s basketball team committed 12 first-half turnovers Monday as Cleveland State claimed a victory, 60-50, at the Wolstein Center.
UIC drops to 10-5 overall (1-1 Horizon League).
The Flames host Valparaiso after the women’s basketball team’s 4:30 p.m. game today against Cleveland State. The men’s game is tentatively scheduled to start at 7 p.m. at the UIC Pavilion.
On Monday, seniors Josh Crittle and Gary Talton each chipped in 10 points to lead UIC offensively.
UIC committed 18 turnovers, its second-highest total of the season. The Flames converted 14 field goals, a season-low mark.
“Cleveland State did a good job of imposing themselves on us with their early pressure,” head coach Howard Moore said. “Our early turnovers really hurt us.
“We’ve got to get back to taking care of the ball.”
Cleveland State jumped out to an 8-0 lead, but UIC fought back to claim a 16-15 advantage with 11 minutes left in the first half. Despite a combined five ties and lead changes, neither team led by more than three points. But the Vikings scored the final seven points of the frame, taking a 28-21 lead at halftime.
The Vikings quickly built a 15-point lead less than five minutes into the second half. UIC chipped away at the deficit, pulling within 10 points with less than eight minutes remaining. The Flames pulled within single digits three times in the final five minutes.
Flames outlast Youngstown State
Talton scored a game-high 19 points to lead the Flames to a 65-60 win over Youngstown State Jan. 2 in the Horizon League opener.
“I thought we did a nice job of getting ourselves readjusted and refocused,” Moore said. “This was a gritty win against a very good Youngstown team. It’s great to have a steady guard like Gary (Talton) who can get the team settled down and get us the best shots possible. He made some big shots down the stretch himself.”
Talton’s 19 points came on seven field goals. He handed out six assists against just one turnover and pulled down four rebounds. Junior forward Hayden Humes added 15 points and seven rebounds, Crittle chipped in 14 points and seven boards. Senior guard Daniel Barnes contributed 10 points and seven rebounds.
UIC comes up short at Toledo, Miami
UIC lost two road games in December.
The Flames rallied in the second half at Toledo Dec. 29, but were defeated, 74-55.
Barnes led UIC with 18 points on six three-point field goals. He moved into 10th place on UIC’s all-time three-point field goals made list (107).
The men’s basketball team shot 47.2 percent from the floor but fell, 82-70, at Miami University Dec. 22.
The Flames placed five players in double figures, led by Talton’s 15 points. Sophomore guard Joey Miller chipped in 11 points off the bench.
“We were a step slow defensively,” Moore said. “Offensively, they did a good job of speeding us up and getting us out of our rhythm. The pace really hurt us.”
