Stefanov stepping out
FLAMES HOLD OFF YSU
(1/3/05)
Jovan Stefanov showed a little of bit of Cedrick Banks in UIC’s game at Youngstown State at the Beeghly Center on Monday night.
Stefanov emulated Banks, who is known for explosive scoring bursts, by getting hot in the second half, converting three consecutive old-fashioned three-point plays and scoring 13 straight Flames points in a 13-3 run just after halftime, leading UIC to a 62-56 victory over Youngstown State in the Horizon League contest.
Stefanov (pictured), who led the Flames (5-7, 1-2) with 16 points – all in the second half, also had a layup and a fastbreak dunk to cap off the run that put UIC ahead 42-32.
Neither team could establish a sustained run thereafter, but the Penguins (3-9, 1-2) tried crawling back into the game in the final minutes.
Derrick Harris’ three-pointer from the corner pulled the Penguins back to 55-53. Banks, who scored 12 points, answered with a tough shot with two minutes left to put UIC back up by four and YSU never inched closer.
The Flames also got strong offensive play in the post from Elliott Poole and Armond Williams, exercising their athletic advantage down low.
Poole scored 11 points, and Williams, returning from his one-game suspension, contributed 10 points of his own for UIC, which 51 percent (24-for-47) from the field. Justin Bowen also chipped in with eight points.
Quin Humphrey and Zach Silverman each scored 11 points to lead the Penguins.
The game was struggle for awhile as games at Beeghly usually are, but UIC improved to 12-0 all-time against Youngstown State. The previous three games at YSU have been decided by an average of four points.
After back-to-back long jumpers by Humphrey put the Penguins up 16-12 midway through the second half, UIC put together its first major offensive spurt.
The Flames went on a 15-2 run – including six points by Banks – to open a 27-18 lead. The run was capped by Bowen’s layup with 3:40 to play in the first half.
YSU hit three straight three-pointers against the Flames’ zone defense, including one by Humphrey, to close the half, tying the game at 27-27 at intermission.
FLAME FLICKERS: The Flames were 14-of-19 from the free-throw line, while YSU was just 0-for-1. The Penguins’ only free throw attempt of the game was by point guard Jon Mends with 7 seconds left. … UIC was 0-for-5 from three-point range, marking the second time this season the Flames did not hit a trey. … The Flames had just seven turnovers in the game.
UP NEXT: The Flames return to Chicago to finish off their three-game Horizon League road trip. UIC faces crosstown rival Loyola at the Gentile Center on Thursday night.
The Ramblers (3-9, 1-1 Horizon) snapped an eight-game losing streak by defeating Cleveland State 70-55 Monday night. Lanky forward Majak Kou led the way with 22 points, including four three-pointers.
Thursday’s game tips of at 7 p.m. and be televised by Comcast SportsNet. Radio coverage will be available at WMVP-AM 1000 and WIND-AM 560. UIC’s broadcast will also be on the internet at www.espnradio1000.com and www.uicflames.com.
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