After losing three straight and eight of its last 10 in the Horizon League, Illinois-Chicago has played its way into the dubious role of spoiler.
Unfortunately, it’s the Flames’ record that is being spoiled.
UIC, which lost a 14-point halftime lead in a one-point loss Saturday at Milwaukee, led by as many as 11 midway through the second half Thursday night against Cleveland State (16-8, 7-5). But the Flames flickered in the face of intense defensive pressure and lost 66-63 after Josh Mayo’s last-second three-point attempt harmlessly bounced away from the basket.
“I almost get tired of saying that’s one we should have won,” coach Jimmy Collins said. “We have to go back to the drawing board and see what’s going on.”
UIC (10-12, 3-9), led by Robo Kreps’ 19, has not defeated a team with a winning record since its mid-December victory over Georgia Tech.
This loss had a special sting because it was delivered in no small part by freshman guard Jeremy Montgomery from Lincoln Park, who scored on a short jumper and then a three-pointer after the last of the Flames’ 11 second-half turnovers to give the Vikings a 64-63 lead with 14 seconds left.
“Defense is what wins games,” said Montgomery, who scored a career- and game-high 21 points. “I have the jitters right now.”
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jmullin@tribune.com
