INDIANAPOLIS – UIC redshirt freshman Dominique Matthews has been named the Horizon League Freshman of the Week for the period ending Feb. 12, the conference office announced on Monday.
 
Matthews began the weekend by scoring a career-high 28 points in UIC's 84-81 victory over Youngstown State on Feb. 9. It was the third consecutive game that he scored at least 22 points, setting new career highs in each of those contests. The Chicago, Ill., native made a career-high 11 field goals, including a personal-best five from beyond the arc against the Penguins. He shot 65 percent from the floor and 71 percent from 3-point range in his first start since Dec. 4 to help the Flames finish a regular-season sweep of YSU. In addition, Matthews matched a career high with seven rebounds that night and a season high with three assists.  
 
In UIC's next game against Cleveland State, Matthews was one of three Flames in double figures with 12 points against the Vikings. He chipped in with six more rebounds, three helpers, a block, and a steal. He went 5-for-5 from the free throw line and played a season-high 38 minutes against CSU on Saturday.
 
Matthews becomes the third different UIC player to earn Horizon League Freshman of the Week honors this season. Marcus Ottey claimed the recognition on Nov. 21 and Godwin Boahen earned the award on Dec. 26. It is the first time this season, and only the second time in Horizon League history that three teammates have earned Freshman of the Week accolades in the same season. In 2014, Valparaiso's Alec Peters, Lexus Williams and Clay Yeo each were recognized.
 
Matthews leads the Flames with 13.2 points per game in conference play. He has scored in double digits in nine of UIC's 13 Horizon League games, and he has tallied 20-plus points four times. The St. Rita H.S. product is shooting a team-high 48.4 percent from the floor in League games and 42.9 percent from beyond the arc.
 
UIC resumes its slate on Friday, Feb. 17, when it visits Detroit Mercy at 6 p.m. CT. The Flames took the first meeting of the season against the Titans, 78-64, at the UIC Pavilion on Jan. 6.