INDIANAPOLIS -- Horizon League men's basketball teams started the weekend on a high note, with UIC, Detroit and Cleveland State posting victories on Friday night.
Beginning the pool play portion of the 2k Sports Classic benefitting Coaches vs. Cancer, UIC (2-1) went to John Savage Arena in Toledo, Ohio, and downed the host Rockets, 57-51.
The Flames got off to a hot start, shooting 48-percent in the game's first 20 minutes to take a five-point lead into the locker room at the half. Robo Kreps scored 12 of his game-high 20 points in the opening half, and the UIC offense was bolstered by the contributions of Paul Carter and Zavion Neely in the second half.
Carter helped UIC hold off Toledo by scoring 12 second-half points, as the Flames iced the game by going 14-for-16 at the free-throw line. Kreps was 6-of-7, while Carter and Neely each hit 4-of-4 attempts.
In Detroit, the Titans returned home after a challenging road trip to host Indiana Tech. Prior to the game, Detroit honored Rashad Phillips, the Titans' all-time leading scorer, raising his jersey to the Calihan Hall rafters. On the court, Detroit breezed past Indiana Tech, 93-62.
Six Titans finished in double figures, led by Eli Holman's 21 points, which came in 24 minutes. Chase Simon and Ray McCallum each had 17 points; for McCallum, the total marked a new career high.
Defense carried Cleveland State to its best start in school history, as the Vikings improved to 5-0 after a 60-55 win at Louisiana-Lafayette. The Vikings shot just 33.9-percent from the floor, but held the Ragin' Cajuns to 34.0-percent shooting in the teams' first meeting since 1990.
Cleveland State used a hot start, combined with the stingy defense, to build a 15-point lead in the game's first 20 minutes. Outscoring Louisiana 33-18 in the first half, the Vikings limited the Ragin' Cajuns to just five made field goals. The tables turned slightly in the second half, but the Vikings hit their free throws down the stretch to seal the outcome.
Norris Cole led all players with 19 points, while Aaron Pogue and Trevon Harmon added 13 and 10, respectively.
