Vikings Put Out Flames Early 70-53 for a Much Needed Win in Conference Play

The CSU Vikings Men’s Basketball team defeated University of Illinois-Chicago Flames at home Monday night 70-53, winning their second straight after breaking there second five-game losing streak of the season with a win on the road against Northern Kentucky this past Saturday.

The Flames themselves were looking to break their current losing streak of six, however, with that being said, the Vikings came out with a defensive mindset, as their first five points would be scored off of turnovers.

The punches back and fourth between the two teams would ensue; the Vikings would lead for the entire first half with the exception of the first 2 minutes of the game, and the Flames would hang around for the majority of the half until the Vikings Rob Edwards, Vinny Zollo and Andre Yates would attack the rim, get to the line, and connect at the line for a combined for 8 for 12 shooting.

That strategy would build to a 7 point lead before Yates eventually would cap off the first half with an NBA range three-point shot to put the Vikings up 32-22 on the UIC Flames at the intermission.

Leading the way for the Vikings after the first half would be Edwards with 9 points and Jibri Blount with 4 rebounds.

As for the second half, 2-time Horizon League freshmen of the week Edwards would continue to prove why he is ranked 18th in the league in scoring, connecting 4-7 from beyond the arch and going a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line.

Edwards would finish the night with 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists leading the team in points and assists.

Demonte Flannigan would lead the Vikings in rebounds with 8, along-side his 8 points. Yates would come second in scoring for the Vikings with 11.

With 19 points off of turnovers and limiting the Flames to 2-7 from beyond the arch, perimeter defense was one of, if not the main key to the victory as the Vikings beat UIC by a final score of 70-53.

Next game for the men’s team is a contest at Quicken Loans Arena where they take on the Penguins of Youngstown State University for the first time this season on Sunday January 24th. Tip off is at 1:00 PM.