CHICAGO (Nov. 17, 2023) – Following an emotional 72-67 win at crosstown rival Loyola on Tuesday, UIC returns to Credit Union 1 Arena Sunday for a 4 p.m. (CT) tipoff against another local opponent, Aurora. Fans can tune into Sunday's game live on ESPN+ and the Flames Network, with the radio broadcast live and free of charge through UICFlames.com. The Voice of the Flames, Jonathan Hood, is now in his 12th season calling the action, alongside UIC legend and the program's second all-time scorer, Kenny Williams. Sunday's game is the nightcap of a basketball doubleheader at Credit Union 1 Arena, as the UIC women play host to IUPUI at 1 p.m. (CT).

Aurora (2-1*, 0-0 NACC/* - Sat. game at Dubuque) at UIC (2-1, 0-0 MVC)
Sunday, Nov. 19 | 4 p.m. CT
Credit Union 1 Arena (8,000) | Chicago, Ill.
Purchase Tickets Here
Flames Network (free) Live Stats

THE SERIES BREAKDOWN

• Although separated by less than 50 miles, UIC and Aurora are meeting for just the 21st time in their series and the first since the Flames moved to the NCAA Division I level in 1981-82.
• UIC leads the all-time series with the Spartans, 14-6 and has won 12 of the past 15 matchups with Aurora.
• The schools have not played in more than six decades, dating back to the Kennedy administration (Dec. 7, 1962), when the Spartans posted a 92-64 win. That came after the Flames won the prior series contest, 72-70 on Feb. 3, 1962, at Aurora.

MORE ON AURORA

• An NCAA Division III school located in Aurora, Illinois, the Spartans are members of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference.
• Aurora is off to a 2-1 start, having defeated Eureka College (86-61) and North Central College (69-57), the latter on the road. The Spartans also fell at home to Millikin (76-67).
• Aurora will be playing road games on consecutive days this weekend. The Spartans travel to the University of Dubuque (Iowa) on Saturday before visiting UIC on Sunday.

LAST TIME OUT: LOYOLA

• UIC captured some Windy City bragging rights with a 72-67 victory over Loyola Tuesday night at Gentile Arena in Rogers Park.
• In a game that saw neither side lead by double digits, the Flames used a 16-2 run crossing over halftime to seize the momentum, then locked down on defense down the stretch to secure the victory.
• Senior guard Isaiah Rivera scored a game-high 23 points and senior guard Toby Okani added 20 points and a game-best eight rebounds.
• Graduate student guard Marquise Kennedy had 10 points in his UIC debut (coincidentally against his former Loyola squad), going 8-of-8 at the line (6-of-6 in the final minute).

WINNING WITH DEFENSE, PART I

• A big reason for UIC's win at Loyola on Tuesday was its strong defensive play, as the Flames held the Ramblers to .328 shooting and a .240 three-point percentage (0-for-11 on threes in the second half).
• The .328 field-goal percentage was the best defensive performance by UIC against Loyola since Feb. 24, 2007, when the Flames held the Ramblers to a .296 mark in a 52-51 win, also at Gentile Arena.

WINNING WITH DEFENSE, PART II

• UIC head coach Luke Yaklich has developed a reputation for building tough, defensive-minded clubs throughout his career on the sidelines.
• In his three-plus seasons with the Flames, UIC is 11-0 when holding opponents to 60 points or fewer.

NEW FACES, NEW PLACES

• Along with its seven returnees, UIC welcomes nine newcomers to the fold this season, including six transfers (four from Division I schools).
• Among the new arrivals to Chicago's College Team are senior guard Isaiah Rivera (5.0 ppg., .397 3FG% in three years at Colorado State), graduate guard Marquise Kennedy (8.0 ppg. in four years at Loyola), junior guard Yusef Salih (5.9 ppg. in two years at Idaho) and sophomore guard Drew King (8.9 ppg. in one year at Houston Christian).

THE REIGN IN SPAIN

• UIC got an early jump on the 2023-24 season with a nine-day tour of Spain, winning all three games it played against local club teams in Barcelona and Madrid.
• The Flames also enjoyed a number of the famous local attractions during their trip, including Barcelona's legendary church, La Sagrada Familia, and popular shopping district, Las Ramblas.

CARLOS HARRIS SIGNS WITH UIC

• On Nov. 9, UIC announced point guard Carlos Harris (6-2, 180) has signed a national letter of intent to play for the Flames beginning in 2024-25.
• One of the top players in the Chicago Public League for Curie Metropolitan High School, Harris averaged 16 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals per game last season in helping the Condors to a 20-11 record.
• Harris is a three-star athlete who is the No. 35 point guard in the country and the No. 13 player in the state of Illinois in the Class of 2024.

UP NEXT: MIDDLE TENNESSEE

• For the first time since 2012, UIC heads for the Caribbean, as the Flames take part in the Baha Mar Hoops Nassau Championship Nov. 24-26 at the Baha Mar Convention Center in Nassau, Bahamas. 
• UIC will face first-time opponent Middle Tennessee in its tournament opener at 3:30 p.m. (CT) Nov. 24, with the game (and all tournament contests) streamed live on FloSports.
• Tickets for all UIC basketball home games may be purchased online through Ticketmaster and UICFlames.com/Tickets, by calling the UIC Athletics Ticket Office (312-413-UIC1) or visiting the Credit Union 1 Arena box office on game night.