UIC will conclude its season-opening road trip with another Horizon League contest at Cleveland State Saturday afternoon.

Though the Flames dropped their league opener to Purdue Fort Wayne Thursday, they can carry several positives from that game with them to Cleveland.  UIC led at halftime, got good performances on both ends of the floor, and whittled a 12-point deficit down to two in the final minute before running out of time.

Particularly impressive was UIC's interior defense.  The team allowed only two fast break points to the Mastodons, and blocked two shots.  They were, however, susceptible to long-distance shooting.  Shayla Sellers made five of six three-pointers, and Purdue Fort Wayne made eight total triples.

The Flames will seek their first win of the season, and to deal Cleveland State their first loss.  Also at stake is revenge from the end of last season, when CSU sent the Flames home from the Horizon League tournament.  The Vikings enter action at 4-0, having averaged 77.3 points per game in their three outings and picking up a forfeit win over IUPUI due to Covid protocols within the Jaguar program.  Sophomore Destiny Leo averages nearly 25 points per game and also leads the team in assists.

Jaida McCloud has led the Flames in scoring in both of their games to date.  She is eighth in the Horizon League with 14.5 points per game.  Keona Schenck leads the league in minutes played, is second in steals (3.0 per game), and is fifth in three-point percentage (.417). 

Saturday's game will start at 4 p.m. Central, and can be seen on ESPN+.  The Flames will host their regular season home opener Tuesday night against Valparaiso.