Men’s basketball falls to Northwestern

Senior transfer Jordan Harks scored 13 points and had 11 rebounds against Northwestern. Photo: Steve Woltmann

The  men’s basketball team (1-3) suffered a 93-58 defeat at home  Wednesday night against Northwestern (2-2).

Senior transfer Jordan Harks  recorded his first double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds.  The Wildcats were paced by junior Dave Sobolewski with 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting, including 4-of-8 from the outside.

Coming into the contest, UIC had won the past four games against Northwestern, including last year’s 50-44 victory at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The all-time series is now tied at 4-4.

Northwestern led 47-22 at half on the wings of hot shooting, going 7-of-12 from three-point range.  Sobolewski drilled all four of his threes in the first period and had 17 points before the break.  The Wildcats kept their torrid pace in the second half, hitting 15-of-23 from the floor, while UIC was 18-of-62 (29.0 percent), including 7-of-31 (22.6 percent) in the first half.

Harks was joined in double figures by senior transfer Kelsey Barlow with 10 points. Freshman Markese McGuire set a career high with 22 minutes of action, adding seven points. Freshman Pat Birt notched his first points as a Flame with five  in the final period.

The Flames played in front of 5,630 fans. Attendance was highest since Jan. 19, 2012, when the Flames hosted Butler in front of 5,931 fans.

UIC hits the road next week as they journey to Estero, Fla., for the bd Global Gulf Coast Showcase. The Flames will face San Diego in the opening round at 1:30 p.m. Monday.