CHICAGO – A week before opening the 2016-17 regular season, the UIC Flames will host the North Park Vikings in an exhibition game at the UIC Pavilion on Friday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m.
 
The Flames will have a different look, sound and feel when they take the floor Friday night. The two-time Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year, and the program's all-time leading rebounder, Ruvanna Campbell graduated in the spring, as did seniors Imani Moore, Caitlin Garant and Manuella Kanmengi.
 
UIC is not without a veteran presence, however. Fifth-year senior Terri Bender is back after missing all but two games a year ago. The Milwaukee, Wis., native, who was an All-Horizon League Defensive Team honoree in 2014-15, suffered a season-ending injury on Dec. 17, 2015 at Denver. In Bender's absence a year ago, Melita Emanuel-Carr stepped up to pilot the team. The guard averaged 7.7 points, 2.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game a year ago. Another senior, Laura Litchfield, figures to help shoulder some of the leadership load, as well.
 
Head coach Regina Miller and the Flames also have six newcomers in the fold. Transfers KiKi Bynes, Gabryelle Johnson and Brittany Thomas have all been successful at previous stops and they look to bring added firepower to UIC's roster. In addition, Miller and her coaching staff have brought in three freshmen, including one international player in 6-foot-4 forward Tyra Carlsten-Handberg, who hails from Stockholm, Sweden.
 
General admission tickets to Friday's exhibition game are available for $8 and kids 3-and-under are free. UIC students are also free with a valid I-Card. Season tickets are also available for as low as $40, which is less than $3 per game. For more information, please click here.
 
The regular season begins on Friday, Nov. 11 against Lake Forest. The Flames will play four consecutive tilts at the UIC Pavilion over an eight-day span between Nov. 11-19.

Check out interviews with Miller and Bender in the video below: