UIC's basketball season came to an end with a 91-73 loss to California in the NIT first round. Freshman Rashund Washington Jr. led with 15 points, while Elijah Crawford achieved a double-double with 14 points and a career-high 12 assists. The Flames, finishing the season with a 19-16 record, made their second NIT appearance, the first in 23 years. Despite a promising first half where UIC led by nine points, they couldn't maintain the momentum against the Golden Bears' late-game push.

By the Numbers
  • UIC shot 50.9% from the floor, marking their 10th game above 50% this season (9-1 record).
  • The Flames scored 50 points in the paint, achieving this for the fifth time this year.
State of Play
  • UIC finished its season with 19 wins, the highest since 2017-18.
  • This was UIC's first postseason berth since 2018 and their first NIT appearance since 2003.
What's Next

Looking ahead, UIC will look to build on their recent success for the next season, aiming to improve their postseason performance and retain key players to compete at a higher level.

Bottom Line

Although the Flames' postseason journey ended prematurely, the season marked significant growth and set the stage for future success. UIC's achievements highlight a promising trajectory, reinforcing community support and fan engagement as they prepare for next year.