Indiana University Athletics
UIC Review
12/7/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 7, 2002
Bloomington, Ind. - Entering Saturday's game against the Illinois-Chicago Flames, the Hoosiers had to wonder if it was possible to continue the intensity of IU's 80-74 win over 2002 national champion Maryland.The simple answer?
It was.
In the first ever meeting between UIC and Indiana, the Hoosiers came out on top 91-62, improving their record to 6-0 as the Flames fell to 2-2. IU is off to its best start since the 1999-00 season and just the fifth 6-0 start in school history.
Senior forward Jeff Newton opened the game with two straight baskets and did not stop there, piling up his third-straight double-double en route to a career-high 25 points and career-high tying12 rebounds. Jarrad Odle was the last Hoosier to card three straight double-doubles when he put together stellar performances in February, 2002. Newton's last 12-rebound performance came against Missouri on Dec. 19, 2000.
"We wanted to come out, take charge, and send a message," said Newton. "I just wanted to be aggressive and establish position early. The mismatch in height today was key and I think we took advantage. Our goal as a team is to run the table and continue winning. The turnaround to Vanderbilt (to be played Mon., Dec. 9) will be tough. It will be a fight."
For the Flames, Martell Bailey finished with 10 boards and five points while Joe Scott led all UIC scorers with 12 points while Richard Lesko chipped in with 10 points.
Indiana freshman Bracey Wright was the second-leading scorer for the Hoosiers as he had 16 points, going six-of-nine from the field, three-of-five from three-point range.
Newton and Wright continue as the only Hoosiers to score in double digits in each of IU's six games this season.
"We allowed Jeff Newton to have his best game," said UIC head coach Jimmy Collins. "He is very intimidating inside and I didn't anticipate him to play that strong, but I did anticipate him to play well. He presents problems because he is a threat inside and out."
Senior leader Tom Coverdale finished with 14 points and five assists, going a perfect six-of-six from the charity stripe.
"It was very important for us to come in strong today," said Coverdale. "This is the type of game that scares you a little because UIC is capable of beating us. Anytime you play a team that you are supposed to beat, you wonder if all the guys are going to show up and play. Our younger guys are growing up fast, which bodes well for the team. We're really coming together. George (Leach) and Newt are coming up big for us as well. Playing a three-guard lineup makes rebounding key. With UIC being a smaller team tonight, Newt knew he was going to get a lot of touches."
Freshman Marshall Strickland had IU's best effort off the bench, adding 13 points with three assists.
The freshman Strickland/Wright duo teamed up as Strickland fed Wright as he came through with a monstrous dunk, bringing the Assembly Hall crowd of 17,207 to its feet.
"Bracey Wright had a quiet 16 points today," said head coach Mike Davis. "You watch Bracey and it is easy to take him for granted. I think that he is the best freshman in the country. He can shoot, go to the hoop and play defense."
For three-point prodigy Kyle Hornsby it was the right mixture as he ended his drought from beyond the three point line when Tom Coverdale dished him the ball for his first trey since he sunk two from beyond the arc in the EA Sports Maui Invitational against Virginia on Nov. 27. Those were just three of Hornsby's seven points in the IU effort.
Leach returned to healthy form with seven rebounds in the first half alone, ending with nine for the contest. It was not just his defensive power that helped the Hoosiers, as he came down the floor and sunk a 15-foot jumper early - he was not to be denied. With three blocks, the one on UIC's Joe Scott with eight minutes remaining in the game was followed by a Leach dunk as he thundered through the Flames' defense for the put-back on a missed Hornsby lay-up.
"Newton and Leach are key for us in order to win," said Davis. "We need them to dominate the inside. George is still hurt and it looks like it will be another seven days until he is back to 100%."
With Leach's three blocks, he moves into ninth on the career blocks list with 90, just ahead of Jared Jeffries.
The Hoosiers look ahead to Monday, Dec. 9 when Vanderbilt arrives in Bloomington, Ind. at Assembly Hall for a 7 p.m. game. The contest marks the sixth time the Hoosiers have faced the Commodores in IU history as the Hoosiers lead the series 5-1.
