UIC Stuns Bradley in 15-Point Upset

The Illinois-Chicago Flames pulled off a stunning upset at Carver Arena, taking down the Bradley Braves 85-70 in a non-conference matchup. This victory was a significant statement for UIC, as they entered the game as underdogs, with CHD Scout predicting a 6.4-point win for Bradley. Instead, the Flames dominated from start to finish, leaving the Braves reeling.

Elijah Crawford was the star of the show for UIC, pouring in 26 points to lead his team to victory. The Flames' guard was unstoppable, and his performance was a major factor in the team's 39-28 halftime lead. Bradley's Timoty van der Knaap did his best to keep the Braves in the game, finishing with 12 points and 9 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Flames' balanced attack.

The second half saw UIC continue to pull away, as they outscored Bradley 46-42 to seal the 15-point win. Josiah Hammons and Andy Johnson chipped in with 18 and 13 points, respectively, as the Flames' offense proved too much for the Braves to handle. Meanwhile, Bradley's Ahmet Jonovic and Alex Huibregtse added 11 points each, but their efforts were overshadowed by the Flames' impressive performance.

The upset victory is a major boost to UIC's resume, as they picked up a Quadrant 2 win on the road. The Flames' net ranking of 157 will likely see a significant improvement, as they added a high-quality win to their portfolio. On the other hand, Bradley's loss will be a tough pill to swallow, as they suffered a Quadrant 3 defeat at home. The Braves' net ranking of 126 will likely take a hit, as they failed to capitalize on a winnable game.

The fact that CHD Scout predicted a Bradley win by 6.4 points makes this upset even more impressive. The Flames' 15-point margin of victory was a resounding statement, as they proved that they can compete with teams above their level. This win will give UIC a much-needed confidence boost, as they look to build momentum for the rest of the season.

As for tournament implications, this win is a major step forward for UIC. The Flames' chances of making the tournament were slim before this game, but a Quadrant 2 win on the road will certainly get them noticed. While they still have a long way to go, this victory shows that they have the potential to pull off big upsets. For Bradley, this loss is a setback, but they still have a strong resume and want to bounce back from this disappointing defeat. The Braves must regroup and refocus, as they look to get back on track and make a push for the tournament.