UIC will hit the road for a Horizon League match-up against the Golden Grizzlies of Oakland for the first time this season. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Athletics Center O'Rena.

The Flames are coming off a 70-58 loss against the Mavericks, in which Jaida McCloud recorded team-highs in scoring, with 17 points, and rebounding, with seven. Kristian Young had a stellar night as well, scoring 14 points on 55% shooting, recording a team-high five assists, grabbing four boards and nabbing three steals. 

Ky Dempsey-Toney got her first start of the season, putting up 5 points in 10 minutes against Omaha. Lindsey Rogers added a spark off the bench with 9 points, two rebounds and a steal to establish her role as a perimeter threat.

Oakland sits with a 2-4 record coming off a two-game losing streak against Big Ten competition, Michigan and Michigan State. The Golden Grizzlies are led in scoring by the senior guard, Kahlaijah Dean, who has scored in double-digits in every game this season. Dean ranks fourth in the Horizon League in scoring, averaging 18.3 points per game. The 5-6 guard leads Oakland in points, rebounds and steals.

This sits as the 20th match-up between these two Horizon League opponents, with Oakland holding the edge in the series, 13-6. The last time these two teams faced off was on Dec. 13, 2020, which saw Oakland walk away with the 81-55 victory in Rochester.

Tip-off will be at 6 p.m. Thursday. This game can be seen on ESPN+.