Flames get milestone win for Collins

(2/01/03)

It took nearly seven seasons for UIC coach Jimmy Collins to get to the 100 victory mark, but those wins have certainly been coming more often as of late, especially considering he now has the nation’s best point guard.

Junior Martell Bailey, who leads the country with 8.7 assists per game, matched his career-high with 13 more helpers as the Flames defeated Wisconsin-Green Bay 81-68 at the UIC Pavilion Saturday.

Bailey also had 14 points on 4-of-9 shooting and 6-of-10 from the free-throw line and committed just two turnovers in 35 minutes.

“Martell brings everything a point guard needs,” said Collins, who is 100-97 in his head coaching career. “He’s aggressive and he knows where the open people are.”

Bailey’s assists were spread mostly amongst three other Flames—Armond Williams, Aaron Carr and Cedrick Banks.

Williams led UIC (14-5, 8-2 in the Horizon League) scored 17 points on 8-of-10 from the field, while Carr added 15 points and four three-pointers and Banks put in 12 points.

Wisconsin-Green Bay (7-14, 2-7) stayed close through most of the game. The Flames led just 68-65 with 5:33, but went on a 13-3 run in the final 5:33 to finally slam the door.

Carr hit a three-pointer to start the run and Kyle Kickert’s rebound basket made 75-65 to discourage a Phoenix comeback.

Terry Parker led Green Bay with 18 points, while Matt Rohde added 17.

Kevin Hughes’ basket gave the Phoenix a 23-17 lead with 8:17 left in the first half, and Green Bay held a 42-40 advantage at halftime, thanks to Rohde’s four first-half three-pointers.

Green Bay shot 60 percent from the field in the first half, but the Flames’ defense hunkered down and allowed just 39 percent in the second half. UIC, meanwhile, shot 54 percent for the game.

BRACKET BUSTER OPPONENT: The Flames’ opponent in the Feb. 22 “Bracket Buster Saturday” game will be announced this Sunday night on ESPN2’s College Hoops Tonight at 10:30 p.m. UIC will get a home game against another mid-major power.