Northwestern 63, UIC 46: Freshman Bryant McIntosh recorded a career-high 22 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field and added four assists as the Wildcats defeated the visiting Flames.

Alex Olah contributed 17 points, seven rebounds and three blocks for Northwestern (8-4), which shot 53.7 percent from the field. Freshman Vic Law chipped in six points and six rebounds for the Wildcats, who held UIC to 25 percent shooting while improving to 3-1 on their current five-game homestand.

D’Juan Miller led the way with 13 points, seven assists and five rebounds for UIC (3-10), which has dropped six of its last seven contests. Marc Brown added eight points, and Jake Wiegand grabbed 10 rebounds for the Flames, who were without leading scorer Jay Harris due to a foot injury.

UIC registered the first basket before Olah scored nine and McIntosh added seven during a 16-0 burst as Northwestern seized control. The Flames grabbed 12 offensive rebounds to remain in striking distance in the opening 20 minutes, but made only 6-of-35 shots from the field to trail 31-16 at intermission.

Miller scored six points as UIC began the second half on a 10-5 run and the Flames trailed only 45-38 after Jason McClellan drained a 3-pointer with 6:48 to go. UIC was down 51-43 before Sanjay Lumpkin connected on a 3-pointer and McIntosh followed with the next four to push the lead to 58-43.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Wildcats finished with nine blocks – one off their season high – and had 15 assists on 22 made field goals. … Northwestern G JerShon Cobb, who averaged 12.2 points last season, missed his fourth straight game with various injuries. … The Wildcats have won the last two meetings after dropping four straight against UIC and lead the series 5-4.