“Pretty” ugly win for Butler

(2/09/03)

It’s a new year, but the same result for the UIC Flames when it comes to playing in Butler’s Hinkle Fieldhouse.

The Bulldogs gained control of first place in the Horizon League with a hard-nosed 61-47 victory Saturday afternoon.

Joel Cornette scored 12 of his game-high 16 points in the second half and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Bulldogs (18-3, 8-1). Brandon Miller added 14 points as Butler claimed its 10th straight victory in the series.

The Flames pulled to within 42-39 with 7:27 left after Martell Bailey’s layup capped a 6-0 spurt, but the Bulldogs suffocated the Flames thereafter. Butler closed the game on a 19-8 run.

Armond Williams led the Flames (15-6, 9-3) with 15 points and eight rebounds, while Cedrick Banks was limited to just 11 points on 5-of-16 shooting. Aaron Carr contributed 10 points for UIC, which shot 35 percent from the field.

The first half was back and forth with neither team holding more than a five-point lead. UIC took its first and only lead of the game at 19-18 on Williams’ putback with 40 seconds left in the half.

Cornette hit two free throws with 11 seconds left to put the Bulldogs back up 20-19 at the break.

UIC missed several low-post opportunities in the first half, missing 8-of-11 layups.

Miller nailed a three-pointer on Butler’s first second-half possession and the Flames never got closer than two points.

The loss was quite hurtful for the Flames, who drop into third place after Wisconsin-Milwaukee downed Cleveland State 86-69 Saturday night. UWM is 18-5 overall and 9-2 in the conference.

UIC plays at Milwaukee’s Klotsche Center Thursday night at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN Radi0 1000.