CHICAGO – The UIC women's basketball program, in partnership with the Missouri Valley Conference, today announced the league schedule for the upcoming 2022-23 season. Comprised of 20 games, including 10 at Credit Union 1 Arena, this season marks the Flames inaugural campaign in the MVC, culminating with an appearance in the Missouri Valley Women's Basketball Tournament.
 
"We're excited to begin a new era of UIC women's basketball and compete in our first season as members of the Missouri Valley Conference," said first-year UIC head coach Ashleen Bracey. "The MVC is a storied league with rich tradition. As a player, I experienced the intensity of the competition we will face. We look forward to the challenge and playing in front of Flames fans at Credit Union 1 Arena."
 
UIC women's basketball season tickets are on sale now. To learn more about securing the best seats at Credit Union 1 Arena to see the Flames in action, click here or visit the 'Tickets' section of UICFlames.com. You can also call 312-413-UIC1 (8421) to speak with someone who can answer your questions.
 
The Flames will head into conference play behind a veteran-led team, with junior Jaida McCloud anchoring the returning group of student-athletes. A native of Peoria, Illinois, McCloud earned All-League Second Team honors last season while leading the team in scoring (16.3) and rebounding (6.2) per game. McCloud will be surrounded by a talented group of newcomers. Danyel Middleton returns home to Chicago after spending her first two seasons at Marquette. Josie Filer joins the Flames as a graduate student following a successful playing career at Omaha. Sara Zabrecky is the third upperclassmen to join Bracey's inaugural recruiting class after a two-year stint at St. John's.
 
Following a challenging non-conference schedule which features four home games, including a pair against Chicago based rivals Loyola and Northwestern, UIC will make its MVC debut on the road on Friday, Dec. 30 at Murray State, a fellow newcomer to The Valley. The Flames will then ring in the New Year on Sunday, January 1 at Belmont in the first-ever meeting between the two programs. The Bruins are the only current MVC member that UIC has never faced.
 
UIC will return to Chicago and open a four-game homestand on Thursday, Jan. 5 against Indiana State before squaring off against Evansville on Saturday, Jan. 7. The Flames have five victories all-time against the Purple Aces, including wins in each of their last two meetings. Bracey's squad will round out the homestand with contests against Valparaiso (Jan. 11) and Southern Illinois (Jan. 14). The Flames have won 15 of their last 21 games against the Beacons. The tussle with the Salukis will be the only meeting between the two programs in the regular season.
 
The Flames head on the road for a two-game road trip to take on Drake (Jan. 19) and Northern Iowa (Jan. 21). The Bulldogs and Panthers were two-of-three MVC programs to compete in the 2022 WNIT.
 
A pair of in-state foes will travel to Credit Union 1 Arena to round out the opening half of league play. The Flames play host to Bradley on Friday, Jan. 27 before Illinois State, the reigning MVC Tournament champions, come to town on Sunday, Jan. 29.
 
UIC hits the road to open the second half of conference play with a trip to Valparaiso to battle the Beacons on Wednesday, Feb. 1. The team will remain on the road to face Missouri State (Feb. 4). The Lady Bears were an at-large selection to the NCAA Tournament a season ago.
 
Northern Iowa comes to Chicago on Friday, Feb. 10 while Drake heads to Credit Union 1 Arena two days later (Feb. 12). The Flames will then embark on their longest road trip of the season, playing four road games over a nine-day period. The trip will open at Evansville (Feb. 17) and continue to Indiana State (Feb. 19) before concluding against Illinois State (Feb. 23) and Bradley (Feb. 25).
 
The Flames round out the regular season from the comfort of home. UIC will take on Belmont on Thursday, March 2 before the regular season finale against Murray State on Saturday, March 4. The contest against the Racers will serve as UIC's Senior Day.
 
March Madness gets underway when all 12 MVC institutions head to Moline, Ill., for Hoops in the Heartland, the Missouri Valley Conference Women's Basketball Tournament. The winner will emerge with the MVC tournament title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship. Action begins on March 9 at Vibrant Arena at the Mark and continues through the championship game on March 12.