The Flames are aiming to enter Christmas on a high note as they are set to begin a three-game road trip over the holidays, beginning with taking on the SEMO Redhawks (4-6) early Tuesday.

After winning five in a row, the Flames are looking to bounce back from a defeat handed to them by the Northwestern Wildcats back on Wednesday in front of the home crowd, 66-62. Currently at 8-2, the program is looking to end non-conference play on a high note.

These programs have only met twice in recent years, last having met back on December 1^st, 2012. With the series tied 1-1, the Flames aim to return to the win column as the Redhawks won the last time they faced off, 67-52. Having hosted the first two meetings, this is the first time the Flames will be the visiting team as they will compete at the Show Me Arena in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

Tip-off is scheduled for 11 am and will be streaming on ESPN +

#24 in Mid-Major Poll

• The Flames jumped up one spot from the week prior, now sitting at #24 in the CollegeInsider.com's Top 25 Mid-Major Poll this past week.
• These rankings are decided upon by 31 coaches at mid-major schools.
• This back-to-back appearances in the rankings are a first for the Flames since February 2014.

Recognizing the wins in the Northwestern loss

• The Flames had their best game at the free throw line, shooting 85.2 % as a team for a season high. This was led by junior Jaida McCloud, who manage to sink 9 out of 10.
• UIC dominated the Wildcats in second chance points scoring 25-4. This surpassed their original season high of 14 in their win against Cincinnati back on December 4^th.
• The bench once again shined, outscoring the Wildcats, 20-13. The Flames bench has outscored their opponents in eight of the 10 games so far this season.
• Leading in fast break points this game, 8-3, the Flames led in this category for the first time since their overtime win against St. Thomas back on November 27^th.

Strong play on the post

• The Flames continue to have strong play from their forwards, as they are led in scoring by Josie Filer (12.6 PPG), Ky Dempsey-Toney (10.8 PPG) and Jaida McCloud (10.2 PPG).
• Filer is among some of the top shot selectors in the Missouri Valley Conference, currently ranked 14^th with a 52.6% field goal percentage.
• Dempsey-Toney has been the top contributors off the bench, having scored in double figures in each of the last six games.
• McCloud has had strong last three games, averaging 13.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.