CHICAGO -- For the second time in as many weeks, the UIC Flames will take the court against an Horizon League opponent in front of a national television audience on Friday, Jan, 4, and this time it will be at Credit Union 1 Arena against the IUPUI Jaguars at 6 p.m. CT.

The Flames (7-8, 1-1 Horizon League) opened conference play on Dec. 28 by delivering a memorable performance on the road against the defending Horizon League champions, Wright State, on ESPN2. Playing short-handed for much of the second half, UIC willed the game into overtime in the hostile environment. After WSU's Cole Gentry tied the game with a long 3-pointer with 7.5 seconds to go, UIC regrouped during a timeout. Junior Tarkus Ferguson was double teamed as a worked closer to the basket and he found freshman Travell Washington camped out in the right corner. Ferguson delivered a solid pass and Washington buried his fourth 3-pointer of the night as time expired to give the Flames a 75-72 victory.



Washington had a career-high 13 points, while Ferguson added a double-double behind 18 points and 10 rebounds. Marcus Ottey netted a season-high 23 points for the visitors. It extended UIC's road winning streak in conference play to a program-record eight games. That streak did come to an end on Dec. 30, when the Flames fell at Northern Kentucky to conclude the weekend.

IUPUI (8-7, 0-2 Horizon League) had a strong showing in nonconference play with eight wins, including a victory at Boston College and a win over a common opponent with UIC, Bradley. The Jaguars began the year at 8-3, which was the program's best start since the 2009-10 campaign. This year's group went 0-2 on the road to begin conference play as they faced the same two opponents as the Flames. Camron Justice, a  transfer from Vanderbilt, leads the Jags and ranks 39^th nationally with 20.1 points per game.

On Monday, UIC rang in the new year a few hours early by unveiling its new Chicago Tribute uniforms. feature several elements that give a nod to the Windy City. The primary color, a shade of Columbia blue, is featured in the Flag of Chicago. The script Flames on the top are a tribute to UIC's past. The four iconic six-pointed stars which represent Fort Dearborn, the Great Chicago Fire, the World's Columbian Exposition and the Century of Progress Exposition are featured on the outer neck line and on the shorts. CHICAGO is written vertically on the side panels of the uniform top in homage to the sign that adorns the Chicago Theatre on State Street. Finally, Chicago's unique skyline adorns the bottom of the uniform shorts with a UIC logo on the left leg. The uniforms were a collaboration between the official apparel provider of the Flames, adidas, and the UIC external relations staff. Director of Graphic Design Laura White took the lead for the Flames. In addition to wearing this new look for the first time on Friday, the Flames are also expected to feature the Chicago uniforms on Friday, February 1 against Wright State and Sunday, February 24 against Milwaukee.



Friday's game is the second of four nationally-televised Horizon League contests for the Flames. Jordan Bernfield will handle the play-by-play Friday with former Coastal Carolina standout Brooke Weisbrod serving as lead analyst. It will also be available on WatchESPN. UIC will play two more times on ESPNU at Credit Union 1 Arena. The Flames will also host Wright State (Feb. 1) and Green Bay (Feb. 22) on the network.

For more notes, statistics and information surrounding Friday's matchup, please click the UIC Game Notes (PDF) linked in the blue box above.