UIC will turn the page from a rocky non-conference schedule Thursday afternoon when the Flames (3-8) travel to Rochester, Mich. to face the Oakland Golden Grizzlies (6-5).  The Horizon League opener at the O'rena will tip at 3:00.

Though UIC is coming off a 65-56 loss to Bradley in the season's final non-conference game, the Flames showed hustle and effort in virtually all aspects of the contest.  They dominated the offensive glass, 20-9, garnered nine steals to Bradley's four, shared the basketball to the tune of an assist on 82% of their field goals, and got off 12 more shot attempts than the Braves.

Three Flames scored in double figures and Gabryelle Johnson had 13 rebounds.  Her seven offensive boards sprung her into the team lead on the season in a category where UIC leads the Horizon League and is 24^th in the nation with 16.4 per game.

The all-time series between the squads is tied at four wins apiece.  UIC had a four game win streak snapped last season when Oakland won both games.  The Grizzlies scored 78 points in each game and needed them all as both contests came down to the final seconds.  Melita Emanuel-Carr averaged 14 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists.  Taylor Toney had 7 points and 5 rebounds in the contest in Rochester, and Brittany Byrd scored 9 points, all on three-pointers, at the O'rena.

Oakland brings the Horizon League's highest scoring offense (80.3 ppg) into conference play.  Their scoring margin of +16.0 also leads the conference.  Relentless defensive pressure has been their trademark.  They are corralling a league high 13.1 steals per game and boast a +7.9 turnover margin, both of which are in the top 10 in the country.  Taylor Jones leads four Grizzlies averaging in double figures with 15.4 points per game.  Hannah Little leads the conference with 12.0 rebounds and 3.7 steals per game, and is the current Player of the Week.

Each team makes it a priority to get points on as many offensive possessions as possible.  The squads are tied for the Horizon League lead with 16.4 offensive rebounds per game, making second chance points a stat that could bode well for Thursday's eventual winner.

Thursday's contest at Oakland is the first of a two game Detroit-area road trip that will conclude New Year's Eve at Detroit Mercy.  The Flames will return home January 5 when they host Milwaukee.

NOTES: This is UIC's 23^rd season of Horizon League play…The Flames are 0-5 in conference openers under Regina Miller…UIC last won its first conference game in 2010-11… The Flames are shooting for their second straight road win…Oakland and UIC have two non-conference opponents in common… The Grizzlies beat Fort Wayne and lost to Central Michigan in double overtime…Tickets to the Horizon League Motor City Madness men's and women's basketball tournament will go on sale Thursday, December 29…For ticket information, including links to purchase single session and all-session tickets in the UIC fan section, visit horizonleague.org.