The old Flames are back

RAMBLERS FALL YET AGAIN AT THE PAVILION

(1/8/04)

There’s nothing like the rivalry game with Loyola to cure what ailed two of UIC’s stars.

Senior Aaron Carr, who had scored just 13 points in his last four games, poured in 22 points off the bench, and fellow senior Cedrick Banks bounced back from his own mini-slump with a game-high 23 points as the Flames whipped the Ramblers 77-59 at the UIC Pavilion Thursday.

“Those two always play really well against Loyola,” UIC coach Jimmy Collins said. “[Carr] hit a shot to beat them last year, [Banks] hit a shot to beat them two years ago.”

Carr (pictured) finished the game 8-of-13 from the field, 3-of-6 from three-point range, and 3-of-3 from the free-throw line, but it wasn’t his scoring that got things going for the Flames (11-5 overall, 2-2 Horizon League).

Carr, who came off the bench for the second straight game, scored his first two baskets as result of hustle plays. He put in a five-footer after a scramble for a rebound and had an acrobatic tip-in that tied the score at 14-14 with 12:36 left in the first half. He also had four rebounds and two steals.

“I kind have been in a slump,” Carr said. “Coach C told me to clear my head of everything, but basketball. In my case, rebounding the ball and play defense helped get me out of my slump.”

Banks was even more effective, going 9-of-13 from the field and hitting five three-point baskets. More importantly, Banks set himself up for better shot opportunities by reverted to his old ways of moving crisply without the ball.

“I was focused tonight,” Banks said. “And it wasn’t just because it was a rivalry game. We played as a team. The post players were unselfish, and when they were double-teamed, they got the ball back out to the shooters.”

The Ramblers (6-6, 2-1) appeared ready to end a 15-year losing streak at the Pavilion at the outset. Loyola raced out to a 10-4 lead after Terrance Whiters and Demetrius Williams made back-to-back transition baskets.

The Ramblers also controlled the glass early, getting several second-chance opportunities, but when UIC switched to a 2-3 zone defense midway through the first half, Loyola settled for long-range jump shots that didn’t connect.

UIC took the lead for good at 18-16 on Martell Bailey’s layup off a steal with 11:39 left in the half. Carr stole the ensuing inbounds pass, fueling a 12-1 run that put the Flames up nine with 8:12 to play in the half.

The Flames led 36-25 at halftime and ripped the game wide open with a 10-2 run early in the second half, thanks to eight points from Carr and an alley-oop slam by Armond Williams. After the dust cleared, UIC led 46-30 with 15:48 left in the game.

Loyola got no closer than 12 points the rest of the way. UIC’s biggest lead was 24.

“It was a disappointing performance,” Loyola coach Larry Farmer said. “We did not match their energy. Carr always hurts us. His confidence has never waned against us.”

The Flames also took Ramblers star forward Paul McMillan out of his game by being physical with him. McMillan had just seven points and nine rebounds.

“UIC did a nice job of pushing Paul off the block,” Farmer said. “They played him physical and made try to make plays too far from the basket.”

UIC shot 52 percent from the field, compared to Loyola’s 34 percent (including 2-of-16 from three-point range), and out-rebounded the Ramblers 40-37.

“My main area of concern was Loyola pounding us on the glass,” Collins said. “We did a pretty good job on the boards.”

Bailey quietly posted a double-double of 10 points and 11 assists and Armond Williams pitched in with nine points, eight rebounds and three blocks. Josip Petrusic added seven rebounds for the Flames.

Whiters led Loyola with 14 points and three steals, while DaJuan Gouard contributed 11 points and Demetrius Williams had 10 points.

It was the second straight double-digit victory for the Flames after three horrible defeats.

“Losing always helps,” Collins said. “After you lose a few, it’s a lot easier to talk to them. They listen a lot better. These guys are winners and they’ve been really, really working hard the last week or so.”

The Flames, who have seemingly turned the corner, now have a week off until their rematch with Detroit at Calihan Hall next Thursday.

“We expected nothing, but for them to give us their best game,” Farmer said. “And that’s certainly what we got.”