MILWAUKEE - UIC used a 10-3 scoring run just before halftime to break open a close game and then never let the Milwaukee men's basketball team back in it in the second half, claiming a 74-56 victory Monday night at UWM Panther Arena.
 
The Panthers (12-13, 5-7 Horizon League) trailed by nine at intermission and then went cold down the stretch from the field to eliminate any chance of a comeback.
 
"Our approach coming in was toughness and our mental approach being much different than when we played them the first time," head coach Pat Baldwin said. "I think we brought it early and played with a lot of energy and emotion. We had it down to two points and they went on a run to push the lead. I think that was the difference – it kind of punched us in the gut a little bit."
 
The Flames (12-11, 7-3 Horizon League) add to their recent run of success, winning for the fourth game in a row and seventh in their past eight outings.
 
"Give UIC credit," Baldwin said. "I think they were on that attack the entire night. They made 3's, they forced out to cover out on the perimeter, which wasn't their strength."
 
Jeremiah Bell led the offense with 17 points, adding three assists and a career-best seven rebounds.
 
Bryce Nze added another impressive outing to his recent stretch, recording his second straight double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. The rebound total matched his career high.
 
Tarkus Ferguson led the visitors with 19. Dikembe Dixon and Godwin Boahen added 13 points each.
 
The Flames came out of the break and led by 10 at 45-35 at the 16:03 mark. A three-pointer by Brock Stull trimmed the deficit to seven at 45-38, but UIC had it back to a dozen in a blink of an eye, forcing a Milwaukee timeout with the score 50-38.
 
UIC scored 10 in a row to really open things up. Nze's fastbreak dunk put the margin at 11 at 62-51, but that was the last field goal the Panthers would make. Milwaukee would get the stops on defense, but went ice cold down the stretch, missing its final 10 shots from the field.
 
Dixon started hot for the Flames, scoring the first seven points to make it 7-4. Down by six early, a floater by August Haas had Milwaukee back within two at 18-16 at the 9:58 mark.
 
It was back-and-forth for a bit from there. A Brett Prahl layup had UWM back within one at 24-23 with just under six minutes to play and a Bell three once again had the home team back within a bucket at 30-28.
 
UIC closed the half strong, going on that 10-3 run from there to lead, 40-31, at the break. They were propelled by seven made 3's in the first 20 minutes. Bell poured in 15 in the period for the Panthers.
 
UIC finished the night at 45.6 percent (26-of-57) from the floor, making 10 three's. Milwaukee closed at 35.1 percent (20-of-57), while the rebounding battle was even at 37.
 
Up next, Milwaukee wraps up the six-game homestand with one final contest, welcoming Green Bay Friday. Game time is set for 7 p.m. from UWM Panther Arena.