GAME NOTES: The UCF Knights will try to salvage the second part of a two-game road trip when they face the Illinois-Chicago Flames in a non-conference test at UIC Pavilion.

UCF didn't have to go all that far for the first leg of this journey, as it matched up with Florida State in Tallahassee last time out. The Knights were sent packing with a 96-73 loss in that contest, ending a brief two-game winning streak. They are 5-2 overall, with a four-game homestand next on the schedule.

UIC has dropped three straight and six of its last seven contests, including the first two of its current four-game homestand. The Flames were let down by Loyola-Chicago, 77-67, most recently. They are just 2-7 on the season, with a 2-2 mark at home. They will finish this stretch of home games on Monday against Tennessee-Martin.

This is the third all-time meeting between these programs. Each has won against the other at home, including UIC's 86-66 triumph during the 1989-90 season.

UCF allowed Florida State to connect on 62.1 percent of its shots from the floor, including a 21-of-28 effort in the first half. Obviously, that type of defensive effort was nowhere near good enough to earn the Knights, who made only 41 percent of their own field goal tries, a road win. UCF also suffered from a 42-25 deficit on the boards in the 23-point loss. Brandon Goodwin hit 6-of-8 from the field to finish with a team-high 16 points, but he also led the team in turnovers with four.

Despite its 5-2 record, UCF actually has a negative scoring differential. The Knights are netting 70.6 points per game, while letting up 71.4. The lack of defensive discipline has wasted a rather effective shooting effort in the first seven games, as they are making 48.3 percent of their shot attempts. B.J. Taylor (13 ppg) is only shooting at a 38.9 percent clip, but he is the leading scorer on the roster. He had 14 points against the Seminoles. Adonys Henriquez (12 ppg) is the only other player averaging in double figures for the Knights.

Despite a game-high 26 points from Paris Burns, UIC could not overcome cross- town rival Loyola. The Flames were successful on only 37.5 percent of their field goal attempts, including a 3-of-20 effort from beyond the arc. They also were outscored, 23-15, off of turnovers, while grabbing 11 fewer rebounds than Loyola (41-30).

UIC is suffering from a much more drastic negative scoring margin on the season, producing only 63.6 points per game on 37 percent shooting, while allowing 71.7 on 45.8. Jake Wiegand (15.1 ppg, 8.6 rpg) is a solid scorer and rebounder, leading the Flames in both categories. However, he was limited to nine points against Loyola, although he did add nine rebounds to his effort. Jay Harris (14.3 ppg) is the only other player averaging in double figures. He had 12 points on just 3-of-11 shooting against Loyola and his six turnovers largely outweighed his five assists.

UCF may have failed its first road test badly, but the Knights will earn a passing grade in this one, as the Flames are too inconsistent on offense to knock off a more talented team, even at home.