CHICAGO – In a thrilling regular-season conclusion, the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) triumphed over Valparaiso with a 77-73 victory on Sunday, powered by the strong performance of Ahmad Henderson II. Off the bench, Henderson scored 17 points, showcasing his skill by making 6 out of 10 shots, including three successful three-pointers from four attempts. This victory highlights UIC’s strong position in the Missouri Valley Conference, boasting an overall record of 18-13 and a balanced 10-10 in conference play.
Adding to UIC’s success, Tyem Freeman contributed significantly with 16 points, hitting seven of his 13 shots, and made two three-pointers from five attempts while also grabbing five rebounds. Modestas Kancleris proved formidable under the basket, scoring 11 points on 5 of 9 shooting, pulling down 13 rebounds, and blocking three shots.
UIC’s eight conference wins this season are commendable, surpassing the total from their last two seasons combined, positioning them as the No. 6 seed for the upcoming conference tournament in St. Louis starting Thursday. Interestingly, their first opponent will again be Valparaiso, seeded 11th, a team UIC vanquished twice during the regular season.
Despite the loss, Valparaiso’s Cooper Schwieger exhibited remarkable prowess, leading his team with an impressive 33 points, 18 rebounds, and five assists. Assisting him, All Wright delivered 24 points and achieved four steals, exemplifying Valparaiso’s fighting spirit. Darius DeAveiro rounded out the leaders with eight points, along with crucial five assists and six steals.
The Flames held a 39-32 advantage by halftime, with Henderson contributing 12 first-half points. During the second half, UIC intensified their performance, turning a nine-point edge into a 17-point lead through an 8-0 run at the beginning of the half, culminating in a 51-34 score with 17:04 remaining. Sasa Ciani also chipped in with seven points in the latter half of the game.
As the season progresses into the conference tournament, both UIC and Valparaiso anticipate continuing their rivalry with hopes of advancing further and making impactful plays.
