CHICAGO—After spending the past two weeks at home, the UIC women's basketball team will finish up this stint at home with another Missouri Valley Conference match-up against Southern Illinois (6-8, 3-2) Saturday afternoon at Credit Union 1 Arena.

This will be the first time in 22 years that these programs are scheduled to compete. Southern Illinois currently leads the series, 11-4. They currently hold a five-game winning streak against the Flames. Head Coaches Ashleen Bracey and Kelly Bond-White are two of the newest coaches in the MVC and are looking to write new chapters for their respective programs.

The Flames have played their best basketball at home this season, with an overall record of 5-2. Surpassing double-digits in the win column, the Flames have now posted their best record since the 2015-2016 campaign.

Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. and will be available to stream on ESPN3. 

BUZZER-BEATER BUSINESS

• The Flames followed up their first Missouri Valley Conference win with a win Valparaiso, 51-50, behind a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Josie Filer in the closing seconds.
• Filer led the victory offensively for the Flames with 20 points and eight boards. Kristian Young scored 12 points and had five assists.
• The Flames shot 35% from the perimeter (7-for-20). This was the first time they had a three-point percentage above 20% in the past four games.

KRISTIAN LEADS AND WE FOLLOW

• Kristian Young continues to be pivotal for the Flames this season.
• She is currently fourth in the Missouri Valley in assists. She averages 4.3 a game.
• Young also averages 1.6 steals a game, ranking sixth in the MVC.
• Her biggest game this season came back on Nov. 7 against IUPUI when she scored six points, grabbed eight rebounds, had six assists and three steals.

A DEFENSIVE MINDSET

• The Flames return to the top in scoring defense in the MVC. They are currently holding opponents to 57.5 PPG.
• Flames are also the fourth best rebounding team in the conference, averaging around 33 boards a game.
• With two blocks against Valparaiso Wednesday, Ky Dempsey-Toney is tied fourth for blocks overall (22) and sixth on blocks per game (1.4) in the Valley.

SCOUTING THE SALUKIS

• The Salukis' strength comes on the defensive side of the ball as a team. Southern Illinois is the best in the MVC in steals (10.79 SPG) and second-best in blocks (4.43 BPG).
• Ashley Jones leads the offense for the Salukis, averaging 14.7 points per game. She is the sixth best scorer in the Missouri Valley with a field goal percentage of 36.9%.
• Southern Illinois has two of their players in the top 20 in rebounding in the conference in Laniah Randle (6.5 RPG) and Promise Taylor (6.4 RPG).