ST. LOUIS (Nov. 20, 2023) – The Missouri Valley Conference selected UIC junior forward Makiyah Williams (Chicago, Ill./Trinity/Marquette) as its Newcomer of the Week on Tuesday afternoon. She is the first UIC player to receive a weekly honor from the conference this season, and the second Flames' women's basketball player chosen as Newcomer of the Week since the program joined the MVC prior to last season (Josie Filer earned the award twice last year on Nov. 14, 2022, and Jan. 16, 2023).
 

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Makiyah Williams named @ValleyHoops Newcomer of the Week ??#FireUpFlames pic.twitter.com/tVYSPelwVu

— UIC W. Basketball ???? (@UIC_WBB) November 20, 2023

 
"I'm really excited for Makiyah receiving Newcomer of the Week," said head coach Ashleen Bracey. "She's well-deserving and has been very committed to the goal, putting in work since the day she set foot on campus. She's been doing a phenomenal job in film sessions, making adjustments to help our team compete. This is a kid that you're going to continue to see great things from, someone who is capable of putting up triple-double numbers. I think it's great for our program, and her team is proud."
 

"This is a kid that you're going to continue to see great things from" ????@Abracey40 on Makiyah Williams being named Newcomer of the Week!#FireUpFlames pic.twitter.com/FpySmNorJ3

— UIC W. Basketball ???? (@UIC_WBB) November 20, 2023

Williams averaged 25.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals in the Flames' two wins last weekend. According to Calvin Wetzel with HerHoopStats.com, no on else in Division I has posted these numbers coming off the bench in two straight games, and only six other players have even done it once. She also shot 65.5 percent from the field (19-of-29) and made four of her six three-point attempts (.667).
 
The transfer from Marquette started her offensive fury in the Nov. 17 home-opening win over SEMO, scoring a career-high 28 points (10-16 FG) and grabbing seven rebounds in 24 minutes. Two days later against IUPUI, also at home, she tallied 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting (including 3-of-3 three-pointers) and collected six rebounds in 25 minutes.
 
Williams' total against SEMO nearly doubled her career scoring high, which had been 15 points in the season-opening win at Loyola on Nov. 6. Prior to coming to UIC, Williams' career high at Marquette was nine points.
 

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Take a look at Makiyah Williams' highlights from Friday night, when she scored a career-high 28 points! ??#FireUpFlames #ChicagosCollegeTeam @makilla231 @AGuyNamedJeff pic.twitter.com/FbmZXV6TKa

— UIC W. Basketball ???? (@UIC_WBB) November 19, 2023

 
Williams and the Flames will be back on the road Sunday (Nov. 26) for a 2 p.m. (CT) matchup at Saint Louis. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+ with live stats available at UICFlames.com.
 
For more information on UIC women's basketball, fans are encouraged to visit UICFlames.com, or follow the Flames on social media through X (@UIC_WBB and @UICFlames) and Instagram (@uic_wbb and @uicflames).