CHICAGO (Nov. 5, 2023) – The UIC women's basketball squad opens the 2023-24 season Monday evening, as the Flames take on crosstown rival Loyola.
START OF 2023-24 SEASON
UIC's match against the Ramblers marks the start of the new season. The Flames' non-conference schedule is highlighted by matchups against some of the preeminent mid-major programs in the Midwest and a December trip to the West Palm Beach Classic. 2023-24 marks UIC's second season as members of the Missouri Valley Conference.
With seven returning players from last season and the addition of eight new impactful athletes to the roster, the Flames are looking to reach the postseason for the second-straight season. In the preseason polls, UIC was selected to finish 6
th in the conference this year.
YEAR TWO OF THE ASHLEEN BRACEY ERA
UIC is coming off a memorable 2022-23 season that saw the Flames post 19 wins and earn a berth in the Women's Basketball Invitational (WBI), the third postseason appearance in program history. It marked the greatest win improvement in MVC history and the second-largest turnaround in the nation last year.
KEY RETURNERS MIXED WITH NEW FACES
UIC is looking to carry momentum from last year's playoff berth into this season, with seven players returning, led by starting seniors
Jaida McCloud (Peoria, Ill./Richwoods) (12.2 ppg., 6.2 rpg.) and
Kristian Young (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) (6.2 ppg., 5.0 rpg.). McCloud was recently named to the 2023-24 Preseason All-Missouri Valley Conference Second Team. The versatile forward ranked 17
th in the conference in scoring and 11
th in rebounding during the 2022-23 season.
The Flames will also have eight newcomers this year, including Chicago natives
Krystyna Ellew (Chicago, Ill./Taft/Wisconsin),
Keimari Rimmer (Chicago, Ill./Proviso East/DePaul) and
Makiyah Williams (Chicago, Ill./Trinity/Marquette).
EXHIBITION RECAP
The Flames recently defeated UW-Parkside 94-73 in an exhibition, with four players scoring in double digits in the win. Rimmer led the Flames in points (17) and rebounds (11).
Sandra Frau-Garcia (Pego, Spain/Casper College) found her teammates on many different occasions, recording 10 assists.
UIC's bench outscored Parkside's reserves 42-14. Williams scored 13 of those points by halftime, emerging as one of the Flames' top scorers against the Rangers.
SCOUTING LOYOLA
Loyola went 6-24 in 2022-23 and had a 1-15 record in conference play. The Ramblers are coming off a 71-49 exhibition win over Roosevelt. Loyola had three players score in double-figures in the exhibition victory, with Emma Nolan contributing a game-high 12 points.
SERIES HISTORY
The rivalry between UIC and Loyola dates back nearly 50 years. UIC trails in the all-time series 35-33, but the Flames hold a 21-11 lead in the series since 2000. The most recent matchup between the two programs was last season, a 45-36 UIC victory. The Flames were led in the win by McCloud, who scored 11 points. Young contributed nine points, grabbed 10 boards, recorded two steals and dished out three assists in the Flames win.
GAME INFORMATION
Monday's game against the Ramblers is set to tip-off at 6 p.m. at Gentile Arena. Fans will have the ability to stream the game on ESPN+. Live stats will be available on the Flames' website.
For more information, 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).
#FireUpFlames | #ChicagosCollegeTeam
