UIC (5-22, 2-14 HL) will play its third game in five days when it travels to Green Bay to tangle with the Green Bay Phoenix (21-5, 12-3 HL) Monday night.  The second to last regular season game of the schedule will tip at 7:00 pm.  The tight turnaround from the previous two games constitutes the shortest three game window in the Regina Miller era.

The Flames will try to put Saturday's 78-50 loss to Oakland far behind them.  Though the contest was a two point affair at halftime, the Golden Grizzlies went on a 20-3 run to open the third quarter and never looked back.  Brittany Byrd led UIC with 15 points and 7 rebounds.  Terri Bender had 10 points and 3 steals, which moved her into a tie for second place all time at UIC in steals.  Gabryelle Johnson drew 3 charges. UIC was just 3-15 on three pointers.

While most Chicagoans have no love lost for Green Bay, the Flames are particularly not fond of traveling there.  UIC is 0-35 in road games against the Phoenix, and have struggled to a 6-67 record overall against Green Bay.  Green Bay has won 16 straight in the series, including a 79-65 victory in Chicago Jan. 7.

In this season's first meeting, UIC held Green Bay without a point for the first 5:30 of the second quarter, and the Phoenix were 0-for-10 from the floor over an eight and a half minute span.  The Flames were within two at halftime, and took the lead in the second half.  But Green Bay pounded the ball inside, drawing fouls and converting their free throws, to get back out in front and extend their lead.

Brittany Byrd scored 17 points and Tyra Carlsten-Handberg had 14 as UIC shot 45.5%, then the highest shooting percentage Green Bay had allowed all season.  UIC's 65 points were the second most anyone had put up against a Phoenix squad that still ranks second in the nation in points allowed, at a mere 50.8 per game.

The Phoenix won their first 10 conference games, but are 2-3 in their last five and have slid into second place behind Wright State.  All three of those losses, however, have come on the road.  Green Bay is 12-1 overall at home. They fell to Milwaukee, 72-60 on Saturday, allowing a season high .581 shooting percentage.  The Phoenix placed four in double figures but could not slow the Panthers down the stretch.  Green Bay is 6th nationally in field goal percentage defense. They lead the Horizon League in rebounding margin.  Mehryn Kraker is second with 19.5 points per game, while Jenn Wellnitz is third in steals and first in assist to turnover ratio.

A win would give UIC their first road victory in Horizon League play, and match last season's conference win total with one game still to play.  The Flames will close the regular season Saturday at Valparaiso.

The contest will be televised on ESPN3 with live stats also available.  See the blue box above for links to both.