Feb. 1, 2001
CHICAGO (AP) -Jamaal Harris and Theo Dixon spoiled a comeback by Illinois-Chicago Thursday night as Cleveland State edged the Flames 65-64 in overtime.
The 14-9 Vikings, who shot 53.3 percent in the first half en route to a 35-22 halftime edge, took over sole possesion of first place in the Midwestern Collegiate Conference at 6-2, a half game ahead of Wright State and Butler who were idle Thursday.
The Flames, who shot 27.3 percent in the first stanza, came back fighting after intermission, led by Jon Schneiderman, who hit three 3-pointers during a 12-0 run halfway through the second half. Another 3-pointer by Schneiderman, his fifth of the night, tied the score 56-56 at the end of regulation.
The lead changed hands several times in overtime before Tahric Gosley made a layup for Cleveland State to give the Vikings the lead for good at 60-59. Harris hit a critical three-pointer with 44 seconds left in overtime and just two ticks left on the shot clock to give the Vikes a cushion at 63-61 and Dixon drained a pair of free throws with 13 seconds left for insurance points.
Harris had a game-high 21 points for Cleveland State while Dixon contributed 20 and Gosley added 10. In addition, Jermaine Robinson dished out nine assists.
Schneiderman's career-high 19 points led Illinois-Chicago, which fell to 9-11 for the year and 3-4 in conference play.
Cleveland State outrebounded UIC 44-38 despite a game-high 13 boards from the Flames' Maurice Brown. Gosley led the Vikings with nine caroms.
