The Illinois-Chicago Flames secured a 10-point victory over the Drake Bulldogs, winning 80-70. Elijah Crawford led the charge with 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Eli Shetlar scored 17 points for Drake. The Flames' consistent performance, with 40 points in each half, proved too much for the Bulldogs to handle. Illinois-Chicago's 14-12 record now includes a 10-point win over a team with a 12-15 record, highlighting their ability to perform against mid-tier opponents.
Elijah Crawford Achieves Rare Statistical Feat with 18 Points, 5 Rebounds, and 5 Assists
The game began with the Illinois-Chicago Flames taking an early lead, scoring 40 points in the first half to Drake's 38. The Bulldogs' Eli Shetlar scored 10 points in the first half, but the Flames' balanced attack, with three players scoring 8 or more points, allowed them to maintain a slim lead. In the second half, the Flames continued to apply pressure, scoring 40 points to Drake's 32. The Bulldogs' Jalen Quinn scored 10 points in the second half, but it was not enough to overcome the Flames' strong performance. With 5 minutes remaining, the Flames held a 65-55 lead, and they were able to maintain their advantage to secure the 10-point victory. The Flames' ability to score consistently, with 40 points in each half, was a key factor in their win.
Elijah Crawford was the top performer for the Illinois-Chicago Flames, scoring 18 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, and dishing out 5 assists. His all-around performance was crucial in securing the win for the Flames. Mekhi Lowery and Josiah Hammons also contributed significantly, scoring 12 points each. For the Drake Bulldogs, Eli Shetlar led the way with 17 points and 5 rebounds, while Jalen Quinn added 15 points. Griffen Goodbary scored 8 points for the Bulldogs, but it was not enough to overcome the Flames' strong performance. The Flames' top performers combined for 42 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists, highlighting their dominance in the game.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Final
The Illinois-Chicago Flames shot 45% from the field, including 35% from three-point range, to score their 80 points. The Drake Bulldogs, on the other hand, shot 42% from the field and 30% from three-point range, scoring 70 points. The Flames outrebounded the Bulldogs 35-30, with 10 offensive rebounds, and committed 12 turnovers to Drake's 15. The Bulldogs' 15 turnovers led to 18 points for the Flames, highlighting the importance of taking care of the ball. The Flames' ability to score 1.15 points per possession, compared to the Bulldogs' 1.05 points per possession, was a key factor in their win.
The CHD Scout predicted a close game, with the Illinois-Chicago Flames winning by 0.5 points. However, the actual margin of victory was 10 points, with the Flames dominating the second half. Despite the prediction being correct in terms of the winner, the margin of victory was significantly higher than expected. The CHD Scout's prediction was based on the Flames' strong offense, which averaged 75 points per game, and the Bulldogs' struggles on defense, which allowed 72 points per game. The Flames' performance, with 80 points, was in line with their season average, and the Bulldogs' struggles on defense were evident in their 70-point performance.
The win for the Illinois-Chicago Flames improves their record to 14-12, with a NET ranking of 142. The loss for the Drake Bulldogs drops their record to 12-15, with a NET ranking of 184. This game was classified as a Quadrant 3 game for both teams, with the Flames securing a valuable win on the road. The Flames' Quad 3 record now stands at 5-5, while the Bulldogs' Quad 3 record is 3-7. The win for the Flames is significant, as it demonstrates their ability to perform against mid-tier opponents and improves their chances of securing a postseason berth.
The Illinois-Chicago Flames want to build on their momentum as they face off against the Milwaukee Panthers on February 15. The Drake Bulldogs, on the other hand, will aim to bounce back from their loss as they take on the Valparaiso Beacons on February 17. Both games matters in determining the teams' postseason prospects, with the Flames seeking to solidify their position and the Bulldogs looking to regain their footing.