Flames earn sweet sweep of Butler

UIC GETS 10TH STRAIGHT WIN

(2/28/04)

UIC closed out the regular season in style at the Pavilion Saturday.

With coach Jimmy Collins (pictured) and his coaching staff sporting tuxedos for to celebrate senior day, the Flames defeated Butler 64-54 to earn their 10th straight victory and the first season sweep of the Bulldogs in Horizon League play.

"It's been a long time coming for me," Collins said. "I've waited eight years for this. It's good to do this against a program of that stature. When people think about the Horizon League, the first thing they think of is Butler."

Cedrick Banks nailed three-pointers from the right corner on each of the Flames' first two possessions of the second half to open a 34-20 lead—the largest of the game.

Banks finished with 16 points, while point guard Martell Bailey led UIC (22-7, 12-4) with a career-high 22 points, while finishing with an uncharacteristic two assists.

"They were backing off me and letting me shoot," Bailey said. "I feel I can penetrate and beat anybody [to the basket]."

Butler clawed back within 57-53 on a three-pointer with Mike Monserez with 2:46 left.

The Flames' lead was 58-53 in the final 30 seconds when Butler's Avery Sheets (team-high 13 points) missed a three and shortly after the Bulldogs (14-13, 8-8) came up with the long rebound, Monserez was called for a foul for shoving Bailey.

Butler coach Todd Lickliter was then assessed a technical foul with 14.7 seconds left, giving the Flames' Aaron Carr a chance to bury two free throws to clinch the victory.

Collins started five seniors that usually come off the bench or see very little playing time—Kevin Mitchem, Richard Lesko, Jabari Harris, Rickey Dominguez and Carr.

UIC's normal starting lineup of Banks, Bailey, Justin Bowen, Armond Williams, and Joe Scott, didn't hit the floor until there was 14:44 left in the first half.

The Flames trailed 11-6 before finding a flow in their offense. Scott hit a layup on the left block to start a 16-4 run, which included consecutive three-pointers by Bailey from the top of the key that finally got the crowd of 6,752 into the game.

"I'm extremely proud of these guys," Collins said. "I'm proud of the way we fought back and maintained our poise."

Bailey had 10 points in the first half, lifting the Flames to a 28-20 lead.

"UIC is the best team in our league right now," Lickliter said. "They play very hard and physical. They understand one another. In a league like ours, winning 10 games in a row speaks for itself."

UP NEXT: The Flames will now prepare for a semifinal game in the Horizon League tournament next Saturday. UIC earned a bye through the first two rounds, finishing second in the Horizon.

"We have to stay in the gym," Banks said. "Our conference is tough and everyone wants to be in the [NCAA] tournament. We need to stayed focused.

The pairings for the Horizon League tournament as are follows:

TUESDAY, MARCH 2 OPENING ROUND

#9 Cleveland State at #4 Detroit, 6 p.m.

#8 Loyola at #5 Wright State, 6:30 p.m.

#7 Youngstown State at #6 Butler, 6 p.m.

FRIDAY, MARCH 5 2ND ROUND (at Butler or UIC)

CSU-Detroit winner vs. Loyola-WSU winner, 4:30 p.m.

YSU-Butler winner vs. #3 Wisconsin-Green Bay, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, MARCH 6 SEMIFINALS (at Butler or UIC)

CSU-Detroit-Loyola-WSU winner vs. #1 Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 4:30 p.m.

YSU-Butler-UWGB vs. #2 UIC, 7 p.m.

TUESDAY, MARCH 9 CHAMPIONSHIP (at Butler or highest seed)

Semifinal winners, 8 p.m.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Williams celebrated his 22nd birthday Saturday night. He played 24 minutes, scoring eight points and grabbing three rebounds and four steals.

THEY'LL BE BACK: Even though they are seniors, Banks, Bailey and Williams did not partake in the senior day ceremonies. All three sat their freshman year, but are on pace to graduate in May, so they can return as long as they enroll in graduate school.

AN OLD FRIEND: UIC's all-time leading scorer stopped by the Pavilion to watch the Flames' victory. Kenny Williams, 31, has retired from pro basketball after nearly a decade of playing overseas.

He is now back in the Chicago area, working as a personal trainer at Bally's in Countryside, not far from his high school, Lyons Township. He's also looking to land a job at Aon.

Williams scored 2,025 points while at UIC. He holds the record by 13 over Sherell Ford.