With new staff, new uniforms and a new outfit for beloved mascot Sparky D. Dragon, the stage was set in the Credit Union 1 Arena for the UIC Flames’ home opener. After an intense 40 minutes, the Flames defeated the St. Francis (Ill.) Fighting Saints 91-43 on Monday.
Under newly appointed head coach Rob Ehsan, Flames fans anticipated a high-scoring season, which was apparent during Monday’s game. Junior guard Javon Jackson led UIC in scoring, finishing with 21 points on 66.7% shooting. Modestas Kancleris posted a double-double against the Fighting Saints with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Senior forward Filip Skobalj struggled behind the 3-point line but was key to the Flames’ defense.
St. Francis couldn’t keep its hands on the ball under the high-pressure defensive play of junior guard Jordan Mason, as the Fighting Saints entered the second half 29 points behind the Flames. The only answer to the Flames’ newly introduced offense under Ehsan was a late performance from St. Francis’ Ibrahim Mobayed.
In previous interviews with MidMajorBasketball.com, last night’s starters Filip Skobalj and Ethan Pickett mentioned that practice under Ehsan was much more fast-paced, which was apparent during last night’s game.
Fans welcomed Ehsan to the Credit Union 1 Arena with chants of “Let’s go, Rob!” after an impressive first appearance as head coach. After the game, Ehsan commented to the press, “It was awesome to get out in front of a home crowd for the first time– and to have it count.”
UIC’s homecoming week concluded with a highly-anticipated game against Yale on Friday.
