Flames expose Demons

DePaul might lead the nation in the following categories: highlight-reel plays, alley-oop attempts and in-game substitutions.

But when it comes to victories, the Blue Demons are woefully deficient.

It takes more than superior size and athleticism to win, a fact Illinois-Chicago proved Saturday night. The Flames used backcourt synergy and heady play to subdue DePaul 85-80 before 8,513 at Allstate Arena.

UIC (6-4) extended its win streak to three and beat DePaul (2-5) for the first time.

"We have talked about chemistry from day one," UIC coach Jimmy Collins said. "We have some young men who show a great deal of respect for what we're trying to teach.

"That's why our team is clicking."

Guards Josh Mayo, Spencer Stewart and Robert Kreps were in lockstep. Mayo recovered from a 0-for-6 shooting start to tally 18 points, and court leader Stewart added 16. Yet Kreps' effort clinched the win.

The freshman had a career-high 19 points, but his biggest contributions came in other areas. With UIC up 69-68, Kreps beat taller players for an offensive rebound. Seconds later, Stewart fed Mayo for a 3-pointer.

Then, after Cliff Clinkscales cut the UIC lead to 78-75, Kreps beat everyone downcourt and found Scott VanderMeer for a dunk with 54.7 seconds left.

"When (DePaul) had their press, no one was getting back," said Kreps, a star wide receiver in high school. "Me and Spencer just made eye contact and I went on the fly."

The play marked one of several mental gaffes for DePaul down the stretch.

Trailing 72-68, senior Draelon Burns (21 points) couldn't draw a foul on a 3-point attempt. As a stunned Burns waited for the whistle, Stewart raced downcourt for an easy layup.

"Our execution is failing because we're allowing the gloom of the play," DePaul coach Jerry Wainwright said. "We get deflated really easily."

DePaul received double-doubles from freshmen Dar Tucker (career-high 26 points, 11 rebounds) and Mac Koshwal (16 and 11), but it continued to struggle at the foul line (20-of-31 shooting) and on defense.

"We took the loss against Vanderbilt very hard," said Burns, referring to Wednesday's crunch-time collapse. "It took a toll on us today."

Added Tucker: "Some possessions, we were just out there, running around."

Wainwright bristled when told of Tucker's remark.

"We had a definitive plan," he said. "We have sets."

While UIC stuck with its three-headed backcourt, Wainwright repeatedly shuffled guards in and out, searching for the right mix.

Do the rapid-fire substitutions prevent DePaul from finding a flow?

"Sometimes," Tucker said. "You get in a groove and then you get took out, you probably get stiff again."

UIC remained loose, going 15 of 21 from the foul line and dishing out 17 assists.

"We're starting to get our identity," Collins said.

Seven games in, DePaul is still searching.

"Right now," Wainwright said, "we're not handling adversity real well."

• DePaul freshman center Kene Obi has been cleared to play and dressed for Saturday night's game. Demons freshman guard Michael Bizoukas sat out with an undisclosed illness. Bizoukas could have a relapse of mononucleosis, which forced him to miss most of preseason practice.