University of Toronto vs University of Illinois-Chicago
Written by Graeme Wallace
Another pre-season CIS-NCAA matchup featured U of T, who played the night before against the Howard University Bison, taking on Univercity of Illinois-Chicago(UIC).
Forward Nick Irvine hit a jumper to open the scoring for U of T. Both teams were playing tight defense and UIC missed their first four shots from the field. It was all downhill from that point in the opening quarter for the Varsity Blues as Markese Mcguire, Jake Wiegand and Gabe Snider keyed a 16-0 Flames run. Manny Sahota hit a fadeaway jumper to finally stop the onslaught but Jason McClellean answered back with a three pointer and UIC led 19-4 after one quarter. U of T was ice cold from the outside and inside, missing all six three point tries and several makeable inside attempts. Overall they shot just 2-16 FG’s in the quarter.
Manny Sahota(#9) Forward-U of T
Two quick UIC layups, by Ahman Fells and Marc Brown respectively, prompted a timeout from U of T Head Coach John Campbell. The hometown team responded well initially and Julian Clarke hit two three balls to spark an 8-2 run. Dylan Churchill hit a three of his own to pull the Blues to within eleven, 31-20. After Snider split a pair from the line, UT guard Sage Usher got the crowd excited with a nice “and one” floater but missed the free throw and a chance to pull his team within ten. On U of T’s next possession, Usher went down clutching his ankle. He left the game and did not return. UIC took a 40-28 lead into halftime but were outscored 24-21 in the second quarter. Gabe Snider led the Flames with 10 points while Clarke notched 12 points and 5 rebounds. U of T shot much better (8-15 FG) in the second frame.
Julian Clarke(#22) Guard-U of T
Clarke (previously at Santa Clara) continued his aggressive play by going to basket and getting fouled twice in the opening minutes of the second half. He missed two of four attempts but came back to hit a three, his fourth of the game, to pull Uof T within ten, 43-33. After trading baskets for the next few minutes, UIC went on a run that resembled the one they had in the first quarter. The Flames went on an 11-0 run to take a 62-41 lead heading into the final quarter. UIC outscored UT 22-13 in the third. Tai Odiase and Fells kept the Flames hot as UIC scored the first 12 points of the fourth quarter. They broke the game wide open and outscored UT 25-9 in the quarter and rolled to an 87-50 win.
Dylan Churchill(#4) Guard-U of T
Uof T showed they could play with UIC for parts of this game. They played very well in the second quarter and the first half of the third. But they were hammered 44-13 in the first and fourth quarters. UIC also dominated the boards, out-rebounding the Blues 44-23. Gabe Snider led the way for the Flames with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals. Clarke recorded 21 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists, all team highs for U of T. UIC guard D’Juan Miller didn’t attempt a shot in 20 minutes but dished out four assists and grabbed a game-high 7 rebounds. Miller is listed at 5’8”.
Written by Graeme Wallace
Posted by Drew Ebanks
