Collins’ eruption spurs Flames over UWM

(1/10/03)

Something crazy always happens at the UIC Pavilion when Wisconsin-Milwaukee pays a visit to the Flames.

And this season’s matchup was no exception as usually mild-mannered UIC coach Jimmy Collins was ejected after receiving two technical fouls with 6:12 left in Thursday night’s game.

The Flames played inspired the rest of the way, extending what was an 11-point lead to as much as 16 en route to a 102-92 Horizon League victory.

After Collins (pictured) was escorted off the Pavilion floor, the Panthers’ Clay Tucker scored four straight points. UIC (8-4, 2-1) then responded with nine straight points, including two Cedrick Banks’ three-pointers and an Armond Williams layup off a nifty pass from Banks.

With the Flames ahead 75-64, a Milwaukee double team swarmed Josh Williams, who received an inbounds pass in the backcourt. Josh Williams nudged one of the players and referee Curtis Shaw called him for an offensive foul, igniting Collins’ rage.

Collins took a few steps toward Shaw and protested the call, drawing the first technical. Collins then continued yelling at Shaw and lunged toward the official, despite attempts from Banks and Aaron Carr to restrain him, drawing the second technical.

UIC point guard Martell Bailey and Milwaukee coach Bruce Pearl also received technicals during the course of the game. Bailey was whistled in the first half for cussing, while Pearl earned his technical for protesting a call in the game’s final two minutes.

“We talk about overcoming adversity and continuing to play,” Collins said. “I’m proud of them, because they continued to play hard. They overcame the obstacles put in front of them.

“In fact, they probably played better while I was gone,” joked Collins.

Banks, who played inspired ball all night, broke out of his shooting slump in a big way, finishing with a career-high 35 points on 12-of-22 shooting. He also finished with four three-pointers and seven rebounds.

“I knew that, after Coach was kicked out of the game, we couldn’t stop playing,” Banks said. “I just told my team, ‘Let’s go, we still have to win the game.’ ”

Carr had a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds. Armond Williams contributed 14 points and seven rebounds, while Jonathan Schneiderman added 13 points (including 10-of-10 on free throws) and five assists.

“Their games were lifted (after the ejection) and that’s a credit to them,” Collins said.

The first half was a battle, with neither team holding a lead of more than five points. UIC scrapped its way to a 41-38 halftime advantage despite 36 percent shooting in the opening half. The Flames shot a sizzling 57 percent in the second half and finished at 45 percent for the contest.

The Flames’ rebounding advantage and surprising free-throw accuracy also carried them in the second half. UIC out-rebounded Milwaukee 47-25, including 23-9 on the offensive end. The Flames, a 56 percent free-throw shooting team on the season, shot 84 percent (38-of-45) from the free-throw line Thursday.

Tucker and Dylan Page each scored 26 points to lead the Panthers (11-4, 3-1), while Jason Frederick added 15 points. Tucker also had seven assists for Milwaukee, which shot 49 percent for the game.

With the victory, the Flames climbed back into the thick of the Horizon League race and erased memories of last Saturday’s home loss to Butler.

“UIC understood the importance of this game,” Pearl said. “They couldn’t afford to lose a couple at home to start the league season. Their backs were up against the wall and they played like it.”