After a seven day layoff over the Christmas holiday, UIC (7-4) will return to action in the Horizon League opener against IUPUI (8-3) Saturday afternoon. Tipoff at UIC Pavilion will be at 3:00 pm.
The Flames will shoot for their sixth straight win at home. It would also be the team's first 1-0 start in conference play since 2010-11, and their first win against a first-time Horizon League opponent since Jan. 18, 2014, when they defeated Oakland 78-65.
Starting Five
- Brittany Byrd is the Flames' leading scorer, averaging 15.9 points per game. She struggled to a 2-for-17 performance in the team's last game against Loyola, reflecting the team's outcome. Byrd is shooting 43% in victories and just 27% in losses.
- Gabryelle Johnson is UIC's overall and offensive rebounding leader. She is in the Horizon League's top 5 in both categories. She has also drawn at least one charge in every game of the season.
- Tia Tedford scored five points against Loyola for the fourth straight game. She set season highs in rebounds (3) and assists (2). After seeing 5.2 minutes per game in her first five appearances, she has averaged 14.8 minutes over the last four.
- Tylah Lampley, UIC's leading scorer off the bench, scored eight straight Flames points against Loyola in the second half. However, she was held without a rebound for the first time all season.
- UIC is first in the Horizon League, and 36th in the country, in turnovers forced. The Loyola game last week was the team's first loss when posting a positive turnover differential.
Last Time Out
- UIC overcame an 11 point deficit, and held a six point lead in the fourth quarter, but went cold late in the game and lost to Loyola on a last-second shot, 57-55.
- With the score tied and less than 20 seconds to play, UIC had the ball and could have attempted a final shot, but turned the ball over. In the final sequence, the Flames' defense caused a loose ball which Loyola grabbed and turned into the winning layup.
- Taylor Toney was UIC's lone double-digit scorer with 15 points.
- Each team made 22 field goals, but the Ramblers were much more efficient, converting 45% of their shots to the Flames' 35.5%.
- Loyola also played mistake-free basketball, committing just 16 turnovers and 13 fouls. Both were season lows for UIC opponents.
Introducing IUPUI
- UIC and IUPUI meet for the first time as Horizon League opponents today, and just the second time ever.
- The Jaguars won last season's meeting in Chicago, 67-57.
- IUPUI joined the Horizon League over the summer. The Flames are 1-3 since 2001 in their first conference games against new members of the league.
- Freshman Macee Williams poured in 23 points, but the Jaguars dropped their final non-conference game, 85-71 at DePaul Dec. 20.
- IUPUI had an early five point lead, but the Blue Demons stormed back and eventually led by as many as 19. IUPUI cut the deficit to nine, but could get no closer.
- Williams reigning and three-time Horizon League Freshman of the Week. She leads the team in shooting (68%), rebounding, and steals, and is second in scoring.
- Danielle Lawrence is fourth in the Horizon League with 16.6 points per game, and the team is third in the conference in scoring.
For additional game notes and links to the ESPN3 stream and live stats, please see the blue box above.
