In a stunning turn of events, Illinois-Chicago pulled off a monumental upset at the Banterra Center, taking down Southern Illinois 68-66. This result sent shockwaves through the college basketball landscape, as the Flames, ranked 144th in the net rankings, toppled the Salukis, who sat 12 spots above them at 132nd. The pre-game prediction had Southern Illinois emerging victorious by 2.9 points, but UIC had other plans, silencing the home crowd with a gritty performance.
The first half belonged to Southern Illinois, as they built a 36-25 lead behind Damien Mayo Jr.'s scorching 20-point outing. The Salukis' offense was clicking, with Rolyns Aligbe and Prince Aligbe contributing 12 and 9 points, respectively, to complement Mayo Jr.'s efforts. However, UIC refused to back down, and Elijah Crawford's 23 points led the charge for the Flames. Crawford's clutch shooting and playmaking abilities allowed UIC to stay within striking distance, setting the stage for a thrilling second half.
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The Flames came out firing in the final 20 minutes, outscoring Southern Illinois 43-30 to complete the comeback. Ahmad Henderson II and Andy Johnson provided crucial support for Crawford, scoring 11 and 9 points, respectively, as UIC's balanced attack proved too much for the Salukis to handle. Despite a late push from Southern Illinois, the Flames held on for the 68-66 victory, capping off an improbable upset.
This result has real consequences for both teams' tournament resumes. For Southern Illinois, the loss marks a Quad 3 defeat, which could hinder their postseason aspirations. On the other hand, UIC's win falls under the Quad 2 category, providing a substantial boost to their chances. The Flames' ability to take down a higher-ranked opponent on the road will undoubtedly catch the attention of the selection committee, and this victory could prove pivotal in their pursuit of a tournament berth.
As the college basketball season heats up, upsets like this one will continue to shape the landscape. UIC's stunning win over Southern Illinois serves as a reminder that anything can happen on any given night. With this result, the Flames have injected new life into their tournament hopes, while the Salukis must regroup and refocus to get their season back on track. The resume implications of this game are clear: UIC has taken a significant step forward, while Southern Illinois must rebound from a disappointing loss to maintain their postseason momentum.