UIC used a strong rebounding effort and converted 85.7 percent of their second-half free throws to defeat the Youngstown State men’s basketball team, 83-61, on Saturday afternoon at the UIC Pavilion.  The Guins were outrebounded by the Flames, 53-26, and UIC made 18-of-21 free throws in the second half to seal its first Horizon League win.

Youngstown State falls to 7-14 overall and 1-10 in the Horizon League while the Flames improve to 6-16 overall and 1-9 in the league.

Sophomore Blake Allen led the Penguins with 14 while senior Vytas Sulskis added 11 points.

Over an eight-minute span in the second half, the Flames turned a tie game, 38-38, at the 16:57 mark into a 17-point advantage, 65-48, with 8:43 to go after a 27-10 run. The Flames converted 13 straight free throws during that span to put the game out of reach.  In the first half, the Guins and Flames battled through two ties and five lead changes before the Flames lead 34-32 at the intermission.

The Guins took a 23-18 lead after a DuShawn Brooks 3-pointer at the 9:50 mark before the Flames scored nine straight points to a take a four-point lead, 27-23.  Junior Ashen Ward drained a 3-pointer at the 6:45 mark to cut the deficit to one, 27-26. 

The Flames again rebuilt a six-point, 32-26, before another 3-pointer by Ward, a jumper by Sulskis and a free throw by Tre Brewer brought the Guins within two, 34-32, at the half. 

The Penguins, who made nine 3-pointers, return home to host Butler, Thursday, Feb. 3. Tipoff is set for 7:05 p.m.