The University of Illinois Chicago Flames and Drake Bulldogs have met on the court nine times in the past two decades. The Flames (15-12, 8-9 MVC) recorded their second-ever program win against the Bulldogs earlier this year. On Wednesday, the Bulldogs (24-3, 14-3 MVC) avenged their earlier loss, 74-57, to remain atop the Missouri Valley Conference standings.
UIC graduate student Tyem Freeman led the Flames on Wednesday, exactly matching his 15 points from the two teams’ New Year’s Day game. Freeman missed just 1 of 5 free-throw attempts in Des Moines.
The Bulldogs’ victory was driven heavily by junior guard Bennett Stirtz. He contributed 25 points across 38 minutes, shooting for 69.2%, his highest percentage from the floor this season. He put up a season-high 30 points against the Flames earlier this year.
Stirtz and the rest of the Bulldogs dominated on both sides, holding UIC to their second-lowest-scoring effort of the season. Jordan Mason went scoreless for the first time this season, and Javon Jackson was held to the single digits. Jackson, a junior guard, matched Stritz’s season-high 30 points against the Murray State Racers last month.
Despite fouling out for the ninth time this season (and the second time against the Bulldogs), UIC found relief off the bench from redshirt senior Modestas Kancleris. The 6-foot-9 forward posted a season-high 13 points and put the Bulldogs under immense pressure across 23 minutes.
The win allows Drake to remain the leader for the No. 1 seed in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.
