For the first time in program history, the UIC Flames are headed to the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament semifinals.
The No. 5-seeded Flames authored one of the most decisive upsets of the week, dismantling fourth-seeded Murray State 92-79 on Friday afternoon in a performance that was equal parts clinical and commanding. UIC improves to 18-14 overall and notches just its second MVC Tournament victory ever, while becoming the first No. 5 seed to reach the semis since Indiana State in 2023.
The Flames did it the old-fashioned way: dominating the interior (50 points in the paint), sharing the ball, and overwhelming Murray State with balanced scoring and relentless second-half execution. Five UIC players reached double figures, and the Flames eclipsed 90 points for the fifth time this season.
Murray State opened with a quick 6-2 lead, but UIC responded with a 13-1 run that flipped the game on its head. The Flames then went on a tear, making 9 of 10 shots over a decisive 6:31 stretch that turned a four-point deficit into an 11-point advantage and forced a Racers timeout.
By halftime the margin had ballooned to 50-32. Murray State shot a dismal 28.1 percent (9-of-32) in the opening 20 minutes, while UIC closed the half on a 9-1 spurt—seven of those points coming from freshman guard Andy Johnson.
The Flames wasted little time putting the game away. Baskets from Rashund Washington Jr. and Mekhi Lowery in the first 70 seconds of the second half pushed the lead to 20 at 54-34, and UIC never let Murray State get closer than 12 the rest of the way.
While Racers guard Javon Jackson erupted for 24 second-half points in a valiant individual effort, UIC answered every push. The Flames shot 53.3 percent (16-of-30) after the break, with Washington (15 points) and Ahmad Henderson II (11 points) combining for 26 of their 42 second-half tallies.
Sophomore guard Elijah Crawford led the way with 19 points and a game-high six assists—his 16th double-figure scoring outing in just 20 appearances. Mekhi Lowery bounced back from a scoreless performance in the teams’ regular-season meeting with 15 points (13 in the first half). Freshman Andy Johnson added 17 points, including three 3-pointers, while Rashund Washington Jr. delivered a breakout 17-point, nine-rebound effort (15 points after halftime). Ahmad Henderson II chipped in 11 second-half points off the bench.
The Racers slip to 20-11 and 2-4 all-time in the MVC Tournament (0-3 in quarterfinals). Jackson tied his career high with 30 points—including 24 in the second half—and now has 527 points on the season. His other 30-point game came last season… as a member of the UIC Flames against Murray State. Senior transfer Mason Miller hit three 3s for 12 points, while senior center Fred King added 10 points, six rebounds and three blocks. Freshman Roman Domon battled through an 1-of-11 shooting night to finish with 11 points (8-of-14 from the line).
UIC’s suffocating first-half defense and second-half poise proved the difference in a game that was never truly in doubt after the opening 10 minutes.
The Flames now turn their attention to an improbable semifinal matchup against No. 9 seed Drake on Saturday—a pairing that marks the first time in MVC Tournament history that Nos. 5 and 9 have met in the semis. For a program long accustomed to early exits, UIC is suddenly writing a new chapter.
