Knocking on the doorstep of program history, the Flames are scheduled to host the Northwestern Wildcats (4-5, 0-1) at Credit Union 1 Arena Wednesday evening.

The Flames are currently at 8-1 going into the game, tied for the best start in program history in the first nine games. They tie both the 1976-1977 and the 2014-2015 season reaching this mark. They can tie the 1976-77 team with a win for best record in the first ten games. Currently sitting on a five-game win streak, this is the Flames largest win streak since they won 11 back in 2013-2014.

No strangers to one another, this is the 12^th time that the Flames have competed against Northwestern. The Wildcats currently hold a five-game win streak on the Flames, with the Flames haven't secured a win in this match-up since 2007. The Wildcats are aiming to bounce back in this game after having gone 0-3 since the beginning of December.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 pm and is available to watch on ESPN+
Ranking #25 in mid-major poll

• The Flames recent success has found them ranked #25 in CollegeInsider.com's Mid-Major Top 25 poll.
• This poll is voted upon by head coaches at 31 mid-major schools.
• This is the first time that the Flames were ranked in this poll since February of 2014.

Taming the Bearcats

• The Flames are still riding high since their last game over nine days ago, when they defeated the Cincinnati Bearcats on the road back on December 4^th, 66-58.
• Ky Dempsey-Toney led the way offensively with 17 point and five rebounds. Jaida McCloud scored 13 and grabbed six boards. Josie Filer finished the night with 11 points and grabbed a team-leading seven rebounds.
• After trailing the Bearcats 30-23 at half, the Flames caught fire in the second half of the game, landing 64% of their shots.
• The bench played a major role in the victory, outscoring the Bearcats, 24-9. The bench has outscored every opponent in all but one game this season.

Notable Flames stats

• Keona Schenck made her debut in the starting line-up this season for the Flames win over Cincinnati. She gave a productive 25 minutes on the court and scored 2 points.
• The Flames defense continues to hold strong as they lead the Missouri Valley Conference in scoring defense at 55.2 points per game. They are ranked in the nation at #32 in this category.
• They also lead in the MVC in three-point percentage. The Flames are currently 36.9 % from beyond the arc. They also defend the three efficiently, leading the conference with defenders only landing 24.1% from the perimeter.
• Josie Filer remains proficient in her shot selection with a 58.8% field goal percentage. She is the fourth best in the conference and 30^th overall nationally with those numbers.

Watch for these Wildcats

• The Wildcats are led offensively by sophomore Caileigh Walsh. She currently averaged 12.9 points a game and isn't shy to thwart someone driving the lane with a block. She leads the team in blocks with 13 so far this season.
• The Wildcats don't shy away from the boards as they have four players that average at least four rebounds a game in Courtney Shaw (5.6), Paige Mott (4.9), Sydney Wood (4.8) and Jillian Brown (4.1).
• The Wildcats aren't ones to not find their open teammate. Averaging 17.3 assists per game, the Wildcats are ranked 7^th in the Big Ten Conference and 31^st nationally.
• Wood is disruptive on defense, averaging 2.2 steals per game so far this season. She is ranked 5^th with this mark in the Big Ten.