CHICAGO (AP) Trey Townsend had 22 points as Oakland narrowly defeated Illinois-Chicago 81-77 on Thursday night in Horizon League opener for both teams.

Jamal Cain scored 19 points and collected 10 rebounds for Oakland (6-2, 1-0), which earned its fourth straight victory. Jalen Moore scored 14 points and distributed 10 assists despite seven turnovers and Micah Parrish scored 13 with eight rebounds.

Zion Griffin scored a career-high 24 points and had nine rebounds for the Flames (2-5, 0-1), who have now lost four straight.