CHICAGO (STATS) - After struggling in the first half, Illinois State used a 16-2 run in the second half to take control on its way to a 72-60 victory over Illinois-Chicago at the UIC Pavilion.
The Redbirds (5-6) trailed 31-28 at halftime and were still down 49-48 midway through the second before Paris Lee's layup gave them the lead with 10:25 left. Four and a half minutes later, Deontae Hawkins' 3-pointer - one of his team's two makes on 18 attempts - put Illinois State up 64-51.
Lee finished with 17 points while fellow guard DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell had 18.
UIC (1-7) remained winless against Division I teams, with its only victory over NAIA opponent Roosevelt University.
Freshman Dominique Matthews was a bright spot, finishing with a game-high 20 points. Matthews has played three games against local opponents - DePaul, Illinois and Illinois State - and totaled 55 points, while he's combined for 11 in his other three collegiate contests.
