Bailey’s assists trump Purple Aces

CAREER-BEST 15 HELPERS FOR SENIOR

(11/25/03)

Martell Bailey gave the UIC Flames a real helping hand against Evansville Tuesday night.

The senior guard doled out a career-high 15 assists and committed just one turnover in the Flames’ hard-fought 77-73 victory over the feisty Purple Aces in front of 4,861 fans at the Pavilion. It was UIC’s second victory over Evansville in five days.

Bailey (pictured) didn’t concentrate on scoring until making his first basket on a driving layup with 11:12 left in the game to give the Flames (4-1) the lead for good at 57-55. He already had 14 assists at that point, helping keep UIC in the game.

Bailey was so intent on helping out that he pulled out a dust mop to clean a wet spot near the Flames’ basket early in the second half.

“I was just trying to hurry things along,” Bailey said. “I saw [the mop] and used it.”

The nation’s most generous point guard was averaging 7.0 assists per game in the first four games and greatly improved that average Tuesday.

Evansville coach Steve Merfeld joked about making a deal with UIC coach Jimmy Collins in the postgame press conference: “Do you think Coach would trade him?”

Most of Bailey’s passes went to Cedrick Banks, who scored 25 points on 9-of-22 shooting and four three-point baskets, and Aaron Carr, who tallied 14 points and three threes.

Bailey, who averaged 8.1 assists per contest last year, finished with six points, six rebounds and two steals.

Clint Cuffle, from Downstate Riverton, Ill., led Evansville with 25 points and five three-pointers.

The first half was a battle of offense as Evansville (0-2) opened up a 46-43 halftime lead. The Purple Aces shot 60 percent from the floor and made 7-of-9 three-pointers in the opening half. Evansville led by as many as six points in the half.

“Our defense really wasn’t that bad,” Collins said. “They hit some tough shots. There were times where we had breakdowns, but most of the time, we had a hand in their faces.”

The Flames kept the game close as they shot 44 percent from the field in the first half.

UIC ratcheted up its defense in the second half and held Evansville to 32 percent in the second half.

Bailey made a key steal to start a fast break that led to Armond Williams’ alley-oop slam dunk to put UIC up 65-59. The Flames eventually built their lead to 10 points at 74-64 on a Jabari Harris putback with 3:19 remaining.

Evansville didn’t quit as it cut the lead to 75-73 lead on Matt Webster’s three-point play with 47.1 seconds left.

UIC looked for a dagger on the next possession, but Marcetteaus McGee missed a three-pointer with the shot clock running down. Carr outhustled Cuffle for the rebound on the floor and was fouled in the process. Carr made both free throws with 8.5 seconds left for the final margin.

The Flames also had support from Joe Scott (10 points, two blocks), Williams (nine points) and Elliott Poole (six points, seven rebounds).

“Not enough credit goes to guys like Williams, Scott and Carr,” Merfeld said. “They understand the little things they need to do to win.”

After Cuffle, the Aces’ scoring was balanced with Deywane Lee and Lucious Wagner tallying 10 points apiece and Webster and Andre Burton added eight points each. Lee also had 11 rebounds and Wagner handed out nine assists.

The game was truly a seesaw affair with 10 ties and 18 lead changes, and Collins was relieved when the final buzzer with the Flames on the winning side of scoreboard.

“We’re pleased to get away with a win,” Collins said. “It was going to be a dogfight. You just don’t beat a team by 16 in their place and expect them to lie down. It was a challenging game.”

BAILEY BREAKDOWN: Bailey narrowly missed a UIC team record with his 15 assists. Craig Lathen has the record of 17 in a 1984 game with Cleveland State.

Bailey may have broken the record if it weren’t for a few missed open three-point shots by Banks and Carr and a few fouls in the post after Bailey entry passes.

“It’s tough,” Bailey said. “They’re going to miss sometimes. When they’re hot, I’ve got to go to them. I thought I ran the ball club well and did the right things.”

His 10 assists in the first half set a new Pavilion record for assists in a half.

POOLE GETS THE START: Collins gave Poole the start Tuesday night, because Armond Williams was late to a recent practice due to car trouble.

“It was nothing too serious,” Collins said. “Armond is a proven player. He will be back in the starting line-up.”

Poole had played well last Friday at Evansville, registering his first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds in UIC’s 70-54 victory.

BANNER NIGHT: The Flames unveiled a banner for the team's first-ever NIT appearance before the game. It hangs against the blue curtain next to the banner that lists UIC's NCAA tournament appearances. Former UIC players Jonathan Schneiderman and Kyle Kickert were on hand to witness the brief ceremony.