CHICAGO, Ill. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) --- A back-and-forth battle favored the home team on Friday night at Credit Union 1 Arena, as host UIC held off Green Bay down the stretch for a 61-58 victory.
 
The game saw a total of eight lead changes with no team leading by more than eight points on the evening. The Flames shot 44.8% from the floor, while the Phoenix struggled to get its offense going and finished at 37.1%. The win snapped a seven-game losing streak for UIC.
 
GB carried a 34-31 advantage to the locker room after PJ Pipes buried a 3-pointer to close the half, but the hosts opened the second with an 8-0 run to take control and never looked back.
 
The Phoenix was forced to play from behind the remainder of the game and trailed by as little as one possession numerous times but could never take control. With only 2:11 remaining, Pipes knocked down a jumper to make it a two-point game, 58-56, but UIC's Teyvion Kirk answered at the other end.
 
Josh Jefferson stepped up on the ensuing possession by scoring in the paint and again decreasing the Flames' edge to just two points. GB was able to get a stop on the other end after a block from Cem Kirciman was corralled by Pipes.
 
A jumper from Amari Davis to tie missed its mark as the Phoenix was forced to send Jamie Ahale to the line. After a 1-for-2 effort at the charity stripe, GB attempted to tie the game with two looks from long range but couldn't connect as UIC held on for a 61-58 win.
 
Green Bay had a trio of scorers in double digits on the evening, with Pipes leading the way with 17 points on a 7-of-11 effort from the field with six rebounds and three steals in 36 minutes. Davis and Jefferson followed closely behind with 16 points and 15 points, respectively.
 
The Flames dominated the paint in the matchup, scoring 42 of the team's 61 points inside. The Phoenix made up some of the difference by taking care of the ball, surrendering only six turnovers while forcing 13.
 
Green Bay returns to the hardwood tomorrow night at Credit Union 1 Arena for its regular season finale against the Flames. The game will tip at 7 p.m. and stream live on ESPN3.
 
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