UIC will conclude the non-conference portion of its schedule Thursday with a home afternoon matinee against Bradley.  The Flames will be looking to build on the momentum generated with their 70-63 win at Howard Monday night and take a winning streak into Horizon League play.  Tipoff will be at 1:00 pm at UIC Pavilion.

It will be just the second home game in a nine game span for UIC, and their first appearance at UIC Pavilion in over a month.  A win would put the Flames over .500 (3-2) on the Pavilion court, and would make them 5-1 in their final non-conference games under Regina Miller.

The Flames showed some offensive versatility against the Bison.  UIC made 42% of their three-pointers in the first half, and then scored 20 points in the paint in the second half.  Brittany Byrd had her third excellent game in a row, knocking down three 3's and scoring 16 points to go along with five steals.  Taylor Toney led the squad with 18 points and 8 rebounds.

Byrd averaged 13.7 points per game and had 10 total steals in the Flames' just-completed three game road trip.  Toney leads the team with 10.9 points per game this season, and Melita Emanuel-Carr is right behind her with 10.0.

Terri Bender had four assists against Howard, putting her over 400 for her career.  She continues to climb the UIC career charts, closing to within 20 of fourth place all time and 53 behind the top spot.
Ball security, especially on Bradley's end of the court, will play a major role in Thursday's outcome.  The Flames are second in the Horizon League in steals, and five players are in double digits in the category.  However, Bradley has protected the ball to the tune of falling victim to just 8.4 steals per game.

UIC has played Bradley more often (12 meetings) than any other non-conference opponent since 2000.  Bradley leads the overall series 14-7, but the Flames have won the last two matchups and have captured five of the last eight.

Both teams enter action sporting 3-7 records.  Like UIC, Bradley won its most recent game, topping Valparaiso 67-56 Monday.  The Braves are 2-1 against Horizon League teams.  Against Valpo, Anneke Schlueter had a game high 23 points and was 10-10 at the free throw line.  The Braves held the Crusaders to 2-19 from three point range and outrebounded them 48-35.  Schlueter leads the team with 12.5 ppg this season and is shooting 40% on three pointers.  Leti Lerma leads the MVC with 8.9 rebounds per game.

Live coverage of the game will be available on ESPN3, with live stats provided by UICFlames.com (see blue box above for direct links).  Following the game, UIC will get a week off for Christmas, then start Horizon League play with two games on the road before returning home January 5.