Chicago, IL - The UIC Flames(14-12 overall) entered the night against the Butler Bulldogs(24-2 overall and ranked #8) as the underdogs, but yet with a Flame of hope to take down the Bulldogs and capture the 3rd seed in the Horizon League. And from the beginning it looked like the Flames were going to do just that.

There was a buzz in the air as the capacity crowd of red shirts flowed into the UIC Pavilion on a bitter cold Chicago night. You could see the anticipation from the Flames as they warmed up before the game. They had the opportunity to take down a #8 ranked team in the Butler Bulldogs. The only two loses this season that Butler had incurred came from within their own conference, so UIC knew it could be done.

UIC opened the game with the first strike, but Butler hit UIC back with two 3 - point shots. It was evident that the Flames could hang after two ally-oops to UIC's Jermaine Dailey. After that, though, it was all Butler as they hit 3-pointer after three pointer and led 17-8 after 4:50 left to play in the first period of play.

UIC's Josh Moyo kept UIC close at the half 17-22 by driving to the hoop scoring and drawing fouls. The half ended and I was quite surprised that UIC and Butler had run up the score so high. I was wondering if UIC could possibly score more considering they came into the game averaging 69 points per game. Half time heated up with the UIC dancing Flames. I've seen some good dancing, but I'd have to say they tipped the scale. But, back to the game, Jermaine Dailey (4-4) and Josh Moyo (2-7) led the team in scoring in the first half. It would take more of them in the second half to keep them in the game.

After the half the Flames came out on fire. I don't know what kind of talk UIC Coach Jimmy Collins had, but they came out fighting and quickly tied the game up at 25-25. Jermaine Daily after the game attributed their play to "being a home game and it being senior night". Is that all it was? They looked much more inspired than "senior night".

With 15:45 to play with two field goals by UIC's big man, Scott VanderMeer. UIC's 7'0" center Scott VanderMeer had a weak first half, but quickly took the ball to the hoop giving the Flames a much needed push by adding four buckets in the second half. Josh Mayo put the Flames on top with a two 3-pointers 33-28 with 12:00 left to play in the game. But, that was the end of the 3-point shots for the Flames as they went 2-14 behind the arc in the game.

The UIC Flames were relentless; driving to the hoop on every occasion possible with 26 points on the night in the paint. Going down to the wire with 1:15 left in the fame UIC was down by one 45-46 with Dailey at the line to tie the game. Daily sunk the free throw and the crowd went wild! Butler then went down the floor and looked for their shot; the 3-point shot. Butler's A.J. Graves dribbled right, out of coverage, pulled up from behind the arc and drained a 3-pointer to put Butler up 49-46 with 45 seconds left to play. UIC fouled the Bulldogs to the line and were able to get the ball back with 11.4 seconds left to play. The Flames forced a three point shot and lost the ball.

The story of the night was the 3-point performance by the Butler Bulldogs. They could not miss on the night going 13-37 from behind the arc. If the Bulldogs wanted to win this game they had to take the long shots. The tenacious defensive play by the UIC Flames only allowed 8 points in the paint by the Bulldogs. On most nights teams that don't score in the paint, lose. But, this was not the case for the Bulldogs.

When UIC coach Jimmy Collins was asked what was missing he was quick to respond, "Every game the Butler Bulldogs lace up their shoes and get on the court, they believe they are going to win it. We don't have that right now. It was a good effort, but no cigar." The Butler Bulldogs have found ways to win all year long and the UIC Flames have lost many games that looked as though they were going to win.

The Butler Bulldogs stole this one 51-46.

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