CHICAGO -- UIC continues its two-game roadtrip to open the season on Saturday, Nov. 13, as the Flames make the quick trip east to take on Valparaiso. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. inside the Athletics-Recreation Center (ARC).

LAST TIME OUT
• The Flames let a late second-half lead slip away in their season opener at Dayton in a 64-54 defeat on Nov. 9. UIC led by nine with 11:33 to play before a key 19-0 Flyer run proved to be the difference maker.
• Five players made their UIC debut in the contest. Transfers Damaria Franklin and Kevin Johnson each earned starting nods while fellow transfers Jalen Warren and Brandon Battle came off the bench. True freshman Jace Carter made his collegiate debut in the contest.

MATCHUP BREAKDOWN
• Saturday's contest will be the 57th meeting all-time between the Flames and the Beacons, with UIC owning a 32-24 advantage in the series history.
• The two schools renewed their rivalry last year, with UIC picking up a 66-50 victory inside Credit Union 1 Arena on Dec. 1.
• UIC's Teyvion Kirk led the way with game highs in both points (14) and assists (14), with the 14 assists rankling as the most since Martell Bailey collected 15 on Nov. 23, 2003.
• Valpo opened the season with a 69-61 defeat to Toledo on Tuesday evening. Thomas Kithier scored a team-high 16 points as four Beacons scored 10 or more points in the contest.

LOCKDOWN 3
• UIC put itself in a position to defeat Dayton in the season opener thanks to stingy 3-point defense.
• As a team, the Flames limited the Flyers to just 2-for-14 shooting from beyond the arc.
• On the flipside, UIC knocked down 10 triples in the contest, with five coming from Zion Griffin alone.

NEW FLAMES SHINE IN DEBUT
• Of UIC's five players that made their UIC debut against Dayton, a trio stood out in the contest.
• Kevin Johnson was closing in on a double-double with 10 points and a game-high seven assists in a game-high 37:47 of action.
• Damaria Franklin finished the game with 13 points while picking up a pair of steals to go along with four rebounds.
• Jace Carter came off the bench and led the team in rebounding with six in just under 17 minutes of action.