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WBB: Wheaton vs UIC Flames exhibition November 2, 2022.
Chris Kohley

New Era of @UIC_WBB Begins Monday

Flames Visit IUPUI in First Game of Bracey, Valley Tenure

11/6/2022 10:02:00 AM

The first game of Ashleen Bracey's head coaching career, and UIC's first game as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference, will be a historic matchup against IUPUI Monday night.

A group of returning players, led by Jaida McCloud, Kristian Young, and Keona Schenck, are joined by a trio of Division I transfers in Sara Zabrecky, Danyel Middleton, and Josie Filer, as Bracey has put her stamp on the roster since arriving at UIC in March.  McCloud scored in double digits in each of UIC's two exhibition wins.  Ky Dempsey-Toney had a double-double.  Zabrecky had five assists in one game, and Young had five assists in the other to go along with nine rebounds and six steals.

IUPUI is the defending Horizon League champion, and played Oklahoma to within six points in the NCAA tournament, but will also be debuting a new head coach.

Monday's game, which starts at 6 p.m. Central, can be seen on ESPN3.

OPENING TIP
  • UIC will embark on the first season of theAshleen Bracey era, taking on IUPUI in the2022-23 opener.
  • The Flames went 2-0 in exhibition play, pickingup wins over Benedictine and Wheaton in the preseason.
  • The Flames and Jaguars faced each othertwice last season with IUPUI winning both matchups.
FIRE UP THE VALLEY
  • On July 1, 2022, UIC joined the Missouri Valley Conference.
  • The conference is noted for its "Hoops in the Heartland" postseason tournament, held annually in Moline, Ill.
  • Missouri Valley schools have combined for two Final Fours, three Elite Eights, and eight Sweet Sixteens in NCAA tournament play.

WELCOME COACH BRACEY
  • Ashleen Bracey arrives at UIC after spending the past six seasons as an assistant coach at Missouri. During her tenure at Mizzou, Bracey was instrumental in helping the Tigers reach three NCAA Tournaments and make two WNIT appearances.
  • The Flames' new head coach mentored seven All-SEC players and three All-SEC Freshman Team standouts while at Mizzou.
  • Mizzou won at least 20 games three times in Bracey's six seasons, including 24 victories in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 campaigns.
  • Bracey starred as a player at Illinois State.She contributed to three Missouri Valley championship squads. She was an All-MVC First Teamer, as well as an All-Defensive Team selection, her senior season.

ON MCCLOUD NINE
  • Jaida McCloud was named an All-Horizon League Second Team selection last season.
  • She ranked second in the conference with 441 total points, averaging 16.3 per game.
  • McCloud was the league's 11th best rebounder, with 11.2 boards per game.
  • She was third in the nation in free throws attempted (200), and eighth nationally in free throws made (147).
  • McCloud was first or second on the team in assists, blocks, and steals. She set career highs in single-game points (30), rebounds (13), blocks (5), free throws made and attempted (14-17), and had four double-doubles last year.
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