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Lightning doesn’t strike twice

ILLINI GET REVENGE AFTER STRONG 2ND HALF

December 29, 2013

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UIC’s Kelsey Barlow dribbles outside the arc with Illinois’ Kendrick Nunn defending during Saturday’s game.

It was a classic tale of two halves in the battle of sister schools UIC and Illinois on Saturday afternoon at the United Center.

Kelsey Barlow scored 18 of his 21 points during the first half as the Flames grabbed a 13-point lead and looked to replicate their upset of three years ago.

However, Rayvonte Rice notched 16 of his game-high 28 points in the second half to lead a surge as the Fighting Illini rallied for a 74-60 victory.

“I think Rice will be a handful in the Big Ten,” UIC coach Howard Moore said. “With the new rules this year, I dare you to try and stay in front of him. Marc Brown is a really good defender, but he had trouble with him. He puts his shoulder down and he goes.”

Rice got help from Tracy Abrams, who contributed 16 points and four assists, and Joseph Bertrand, who added 14 points with some timely baskets for the Fighting Illini (11-2).

Barlow also had a game-high six assists for the Flames (5-9). Brown was the only other UIC player in double figures with 12 points while freshman Pat Birt added nine points and senior Jordan Harks chipped in eight points and nine rebounds.

The Flames, who dropped their third straight, didn’t look intimidated in front of the mostly Orange-clad pro-Illini crowd early on as Barlow hit a 3-pointer 31 seconds into the contest.

After Bertrand tied the game at 9-9 on a pair of free throws, Barlow almost single-handedly helped UIC grab a 10-point lead.

The fifth-year senior and transfer from Purdue hit a pair of 3-pointers while scoring nine points during a 12-2 run. Sophomore guard Gabe Snider capped the burst with a 3-pointer from the corner on an assist from Barlow for a 21-11 lead with 12:13 before halftime.

“We really rode Kelsey’s back in the first half,” Moore said. “He really set the tone as far as being aggressive and going to the basket.”

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UIC freshman Pat Birt puts up a floater during the first half against Illinois.

The Illini fought back to within 28-24 on a 3-pointer by Rice, but the Flames started another hot run as Barlow found an open Marc Brown for his second consecutive 3-pointer. Freshman Pat Birt hit a couple of close-in baskets during an 11-2 binge to open a 39-26 advantage for UIC.

Illinois pulled to within 44-34 late in the first half on a hook shot by Nnanna Egwu and had a chance to get closer before the end of the half, but Barlow swatted away a Tracy Abrams drive just before the buzzer as the Flames pranced off the court with an eye-opening 10-point lead.

UIC shot 62 percent in the opening half, including 7-for-12 (58 percent) from 3-point range. Even more shocking, the usually rebounding deficient Flames owned a 19-8 advantage on the glass.

“I thought UIC came out fearless, they were loose, they were aggressive,” Illinois coach John Groce said. “Barlow was terrific in the first half and we really didn’t have answer for him. Hats off to Howard for having those kids ready to play. As for us, I thought we came to play but we didn’t come to fight. My kids came out with a tougher disposition to start the second half.”

The Illini received the message from their halftime pep talk, scoring eight straight points in matter of 64 seconds, quickly turning the momentum.

Bertrand’s three-point play cut the Flames’ lead to 44-42. Barlow scored on a follow shot to temporarily stop the bleeding and Brown hit an 18-foot jumper to put UIC back up 48-43 with 17:05 left.

After the Illini cut the lead to one, Jake Wiegand converted an old-fashioned three-point play as the Flames took a 53-49 lead with 14:13 remaining.

But it was time for Rice to take over. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound bull of guard, who is in his first season at Illinois after the Champaign native transferred from Drake, scored nine points during a 14-2 run that put the Illini squarely in control, erasing visions of the 2010 upset.

Rice hit a driving layup to tie the game at 53-53, then with 12:49 left, he gave the Illini their first lead on another strong drive to the basket. Following a missed layup by Brown, Rice nailed a 3-pointer for a five-point lead.

“They really put the pressure on us in the second half, they got some stuff in transition and we couldn’t stop the bleeding,” Moore said.

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UIC coach Howard Moore, right, congratulates Illinois guard Rayvonte Rice, who scored a game-high 28 points Saturday.

Rice finished off the burst with a pair of free throws for a 65-55 lead with 8:58 left.

The Flames, who cooled off to 26 percent shooting in the second half, never recovered and couldn’t get closer than eight points the rest of the way.

“I wish we would have come out with a little more urgency in the second half,” Moore said. “I went into halftime telling my guys, we probably played our best half of basketball, but I also warned them there’s going to be a storm in the second half. You’ve got to weather the storm and be prepared for what’s about to come. They did a really good job of attacking the paint and going at our guys.”

Barlow was limited after halftime as Rice also showed off his defensive prowess by shadowing the Flames’ leader for the majority of the final 20 minutes. Barlow shot just 1-for-7 in the second half after opening 7-for-12.

“I think no matter what they throw at us, I should be able to execute,” Barlow said. “They switched things up a little bit, but I think after we got that lead, we didn’t keep our intensity and that’s really what caused our struggles in the second half.”

Rice took his defensive assignment to heart.

“Coach [Groce] was talking about how we needed to be aggressive,” Rice said. “Barlow was just going off in the first half. We needed to be tough on the ball, try to deny him.”

FLAMES FLICKERS: This was first meeting between the teams since UIC’s famous 57-54 victory on Dec. 18, 2010 in a game keyed by Robo Kreps (15 points), Paul Carter (12 points, six rebounds) and Darrin Williams (go-ahead tip-in). … The Flames dropped to 1-3 all-time in games played at the United Center. … The Illini now have won 13 of 15 all-time meetings over UIC. … There is only game on the current contract with Illinois, but Moore hopes something can be worked out for more games in the future. “I think the series is great,” Moore said. “Having this game every three years is significant for the state and for Chicago. It’s great for both schools and we’d like to keep it going.” … Junior center Will Simonton was dressed for the first time season but was held out as he nears full recovery on his broken left hand. … UIC begins Horizon League play Thursday night at defending conference champion Valparaiso.

In other recent news:
Colorado State 74, UIC 61: Rams too tough for Flames (12/24/13)
UC Riverside 57, UIC 56: Last-second heartbreak (12/22/13)
UIC 88, Purdue Calumet 61: A fresh approach (12/18/13)
Barlow honored by Horizon League (12/17/13)
UIC 75, SEMO 69: Flames lead from start to finish (12/16/13)
Loyola 73, UIC 70: Familiar foe beats Flames (12/10/13)
Battle of attrition (12/6/13)
SMU 73, UIC 65: Barlow’s big night can’t quite lift Flames (12/5/13)
UIC 94 Wagner 76: All Barlow, all night (11/27/13)