Stefanov, Jeffers showcase talents

FLAMES BEAT DETROIT ON ESPN2

(2/6/06)

Trailing by nine points at halftime, UIC received a needed infusion of energy and inspiration from Jovan Stefanov and Othyus Jeffers as it rallied for a 63-57 victory over Detroit at the UIC Pavilion.

With UIC trailing 34-25 at halftime, the 6-foot-9-inch, lanky Stefanov (pictured) manned the top of the Flames’ zone defense and Jeffers became a rebounding machine.

“Jovan is a guy who is a leader,” UIC coach Jimmy Collins said. “He does what we need to do to win games, the dirty things like rebound and pass the ball. At Youngstown [State on Thursday], I asked him to shoot the ball more, because he hasn’t been looking for his shot.

“Othyus has been doing some amazing things for us. Othyus has really stepped up. It’s his first year in Division I ball.”

Jeffers led the Flames (12-12, 5-7 Horizon League) with a career-high 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, eight offensive. Stefanov’s defense led to an aggressive approach on offense. He finished with 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Both players were 6-of-13 from the field.

“By playing at the top of the zone, I get into my game much easier and I become more aggressive,” Stefanov said. “It helps the whole team get more aggressive.”

Jeffers’ most impressive stat was his 7-of-9 free throws on a day where he entered as a 46 percent shooter from the line. Jeffers embraced the Titans’ physical style of play.

“They’re a very physical team,” said Jeffers (pictured). “They talk a lot of trash. They send four guys to the boards and they make you play hard.”

The Flames opened the second half with a 12-2 run, capped by Justin Bowen’s three-pointer, to take a 37-36 lead.

The game was battle the rest of the way as neither led by more than six points.

Freshman guard Josh Mayo hit a three-pointer with 9:50 left to put UIC ahead 51-49. The Flames extended that lead to 55-49 as Jeffers hit a leaner and Kevin Bond hit a short jumper, but Jon Goode splashed in a trey to cut the deficit in half.

With 6:01 to play, Jeffers then blew past Detroit’s Chuck Bailey on the right side of the line and slammed home a one-handed dunk that caused the crowd of 5,008 to roar its loudest.

Detroit rallied to tie at 59-59 after Brandon Cotton’s tough jumper in traffic with 2:09 left.

After a seesaw second half, UIC finally took control after Mayo drove the right side of the lane for a layup with 1:35 left to give the Flames a 61-59 lead.

“The [shot clock] was running down and we spread the floor,” said Mayo (pictured), who scored the Flames’ final six points. “I saw the opening and took it. I saw the man coming and threw it up and in.”

UIC outrebounded the Titans 44-32, including 24-10 in the second half.

“Jeffers just really exerted his will going to the offensive boards and driving,” Detroit coach Perry Watson said. “We didn’t meet the challenge of coming to the boards and securing the boards. We don’t have the luxury of relaxing.”

Detroit started quickly, grabbing as much as an 11-point lead as Goode nailed three of the Titans’ four first-half three-pointers.

Bailey hit a short turnaround jumper to put Detroit up 32-21 just over three minutes before halftime.

“We talked at halftime and I said that we’ve played well at all, but we’re only down nine,” Collins said. “There were a lot of things we needed to improve on with our defense.”

Cotton, who scored 24 points in the first meeting with the Flames this season and 30 against Cleveland State on Thursday, had to work to score his team-high 21 points on Saturday.

“We didn’t want their star to beat us and get off,” Collins said. “We wanted to rush him and make rash decisions.”

Mayo, who did not score in the first half, ended up with 12 points for UIC, which was won four of five since snapping a six-game losing streak. Mayo also had a career-high six rebounds to go with three assists.

Goode finished with 16 points and five threes for the Titans (11-14, 5-7), who have dropped six of their last eight contests and fell to 1-12 on the road.

“It’s a myriad of things plaguing us,” said Watson, whose team is missing center Ryvon Covile and guard Brandon Bell with season-long injuries, “We played three road games without Brandon Cotton with his hand. Goode also played with a sprained ankle.

“The Horizon League is a tough league to win on the road, but I would have liked to fight battles with a full, healthy team.”

Collins and the Flames now have a week off after finishing a grueling, but successful stretch of games.

“I’m proud of the way these guys have taken on these tasks and they have excelled at them,” Collins said.

FURY-OUS: Many Fury members arrived early for the game with some removing their shirts and painting themselves in Flames’ colors, spelling out UIC Flames. The total of 5,008 fans was a season-high in attendance.

“The crowd was excellent,” Mayo said. “They really came out and supported us – it was amazing. There were some nerves at the beginning, though.”

FLAMES FLICKERS: The University President and some Board of Trustee members were in attendance, causing Collins to tell his team at half: “We wanted to play well for our brass.” …

Mascots from local sports participating in a halftime exhibition basketball game for the fans. The mascots included Grabowski (Rush), Skates (Wolves), Bearon (Schaumburg Flyers), Q-Man (Quizno’s Subs), Jammer (Joliet JackHammers), Benny the Bull, Sparky the dog (Fire), Ozzie (Kane County Cougars), Southpaw (White Sox), and Tommy Hawk (Blackhawks). The famous “Stompers” even got in on the fun at the end, with defense chants. …

Detroit’s first-ever recruit from Chicago, freshman forward Chris Hayes from Mt. Carmel, played 13 minutes. Hayes committed four fouls and did not score, trying in vain to slow down Jeffers. …

Amanda Kardos performed the National Anthem before the game. She is the sister of former Flames guard Jordan Kardos. …

While Danijel Zoric wasn’t an offensive presence in the game, his block of Goode’s three-point attempt from the corner with just over minute left could have been the game-saver. Zoric had just three points and a career-high 19 against YSU on Thursday.