The UIC Flames (2-1) will conclude an arduous stretch of four games in nine days with an afternoon matinee against IUPUI (1-1). The Flames and Jaguars will tip off at 2:00 pm Saturday at the UIC Pavilion.
This will be the first meeting between the two programs. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3, and fans can follow the live stats on uicflames.com.
UIC is a game over .500 in their first three games following a 104-58 win against Robert Morris Thursday. Though this is the most compact four game start to a season since 2011, head coach
Regina Miller has been able to go deep into her bench and get many players significant minutes. Ten players are averaging at least 10 minutes per game, nine of whom are over 14.
"IUPUI is a team with postseason experience," Miller commented, "and even going back to our game against Illinois State, I think we learned some things that will prepare us for them." The Jaguars have played in the WNIT in three of the last four years, and made it to the second round of the tournament last season. They returned three starters and seven letterwinners from that squad.
IUPUI is 1-1 on the young season, dropping a close 69-62 decision to Northern Iowa in their opener before rebounding with a 95-62 drubbing of Oakland City Wednesday. Five Jaguars average double digit points, led by junior Danielle Lawrence with 15.5. The rebounding charge is led by Mikale Rogers, who is grabbing 8.0 boards per game to go along with a team-high 6 blocks. The Jags go nine deep and all nine players who have seen action this season are averaging over 15 minutes per game.
Bender Moves Up Steals List
Terri Bender's six steals against Robert Morris vaulted her into sixth place on UIC's all-time steals list:
1. Penny Armstrong (1991-95).....427
2. Chrissy Dixon (2002-06)...........259
3. Jasmine Bailey (20088-12).......258
Tasia Georganas (1989-93).......258
4. Joanne McCarthy (1992-97).....257
5. Briana Hinkle (2006-11)............224
6. Terri Bender (2012-pr.)...........220
7. Taylor Foulks (2009-13)............218 |
The Flames are averaging just over 80 points per game thanks to hot shooting – five players are shooting 50% or better, with
Catera Etheridge (61.1%) leading the way and
Desiree Jackson (60%) not far behind. On the other end of the court, UIC has limited opponents to a 31.7% field goal percentage, but they will be challenged Saturday by the Jaguars' own quality shooting. Freshman Holly Hoopingarner is shooting well over 50% from the floor, including 55.6% on threes; and backcourt mate Lawrence has the most attempts and makes. Not to be outdone, forward Jenna Gunn is shooting a blistering 62.5% and is averaging 10.5 points.
The lopsided game against Robert Morris enabled several young Flames to get valuable playing time which five players, each in their first year playing with UIC, capitalized upon to set career scoring highs:
The Flames got the ball into the paint early and often, and after a rash of missed layups in the first quarter, ended with 68 points from within two feet of the rim. That production, paired with a season-high 73.7% from the free throw line, encouraged Miller.
"Since we have so many freshmen and others who are also playing with us for the first time, we are in the process of finding our identity," she said. "Making layups and free throws can enable us to win games while we're figuring things out."
Following the clash with IUPUI, the Flames will have an extended break over Thanksgiving and will not return to action until December 1 at Toledo.
