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UIC Accepts Bid to 2023 Women’s Basketball Invitational

Flames earn third postseason berth in program history following inaugural Missouri Valley Conference season

3/12/2023 9:00:00 PM

CHICAGO – The UIC women's basketball team has accepted a bid to compete in the 2023 Women's Basketball Invitational (WBI).

This is UIC's third postseason berth in program history and its first since winning the WBI in 2014. In its inaugural season in the Missouri Valley Conference, the Flames recorded the greatest turnaround in league history, improving from two wins a year ago to 18 victories this season under first year head coach Ashleen Bracey.
 
"I'm extremely proud of our program for putting ourselves in a position to compete for a championship in postseason play," said head coach Ashleen Bracey. " This group has been resilient all year long and is truly committed to the process. There is nothing better as a player or coach than an opportunity to compete in March."

"We're really excited for another opportunity to compete for a championship," said Gr. forward Josie Filer. "It's been a historic year for our program and we're not done working yet. Our team is thankful to be among the teams still playing in March. 

The Flames will open WBI play against New Mexico State at 2:30 p.m. ET on Friday, March 17 at the Clive M. Beck Center in Lexington, Kentucky.

WBI Bracket
 
ABOUT THE 2023 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL INVITATIONAL
  • This is the 13th annual Women's Basketball Invitational.
  • First round games will take place on Friday, March 17, with action continuing Saturday, March 18 and Sunday March 19. 
  • The eight teams in this year's field are UIC, New Mexico State, East Tennessee State, Florida International, Cal Baptist, North Dakota, Georgia Southern and Northern Illinois. 
  • All games will be played at the Clive M. Beck Center in Lexington, Kentucky.
  • Past WBI champions: St. Mary's (2022), Cleveland State (2021), Appalachian State (2019, 2010), Yale (2018), Rice (2017), Louisiana Lafayette (2016, 2015), UIC (2014), Detroit (2013), Minnesota (2012) and UAB (2011). 
UIC IN POSTSEASON PLAY
  • This is the Flames third postseason appearance in program history.
  • The Flames won the WBI championship in 2014.
  • UIC participated in the 2007 WNIT, falling to Minnesota in the first round. 
UIC IN THE WBI
  • The 2022-23 season marks UIC's second appearance in the WBI.
  • In 2014, the Flames won the WBI championship, defeating Stephen F. Austin 73-64 in the title game.
  • UIC also recorded victories against IPFW, Eastern Michigan and Fairfield during its championship run.
  • The Flames are the only current member of the Missouri Valley Conference to have won the WBI.
  • Former Flame Ruvanna Campell holds the WBI record for most rebounds in a game (23) and is tied for the most blocks in a single contest (8).  
2023: A SEASON TO REMEMBER FOR UIC
  • Under first year head coach Ashleen Bracey, the Flames have had a remarkable season thus far, recording a 18-15 overall record, including 10 league victories, in the program's first season as members of the Missouri Valley Conference.
  • The Flames currently have 16 more wins this season than in 2021-22, marking the greatest year-over-year turnaround for a program in MVC women's basketball history.
  • The Flames advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2023 MVC Women's Basketball Tournament, marking UIC's first conference tournament win in six years.
  • In February, UIC defeated 2023 MVC Women's Basketball Tournament Champion and NCAA automatic bid recipient Drake, 64-52. The 12-point margin of victory was the most this season by any MVC team against the 2023 postseason champs.
  • The Flames have two 1,000 point scorers on their roster. Graduate Forward Josie Filer eclipsed the 1,000 point career mark during UIC's game against Belmont on Mar. 2. Junior Forward Jaida McCloud scored her 1,000th career point on Mar. 4 against Murray State.
  • The Missouri Valley Conference named Filer to its All-MVC Third Team and All-MVC Newcomer team. Filer leads the Flams in points per game (12.8) rebounds per game (6.8) and made field goals (160).
  • Graduate Guard Tiana Jackson was also one of 16 MVC women's basketball student-athletes named to the Scholar Athlete team for her work both on the court and in the classroom. Jackson, who holds a 4.0 GPA, was an Honorable Mention selection. 
TICKETS AND BROADCAST INFORMATION
  • Tickets are $20 per day and can be purchased at the Clive M. Beck Center door.
  • Children aged 12 and under are admitted free with a paying adult.
  • All games will be streamed for $10 per day on www.watchwbi.com.
  • Fans can follow live stats for free at http://wbi.statbroadcast.com.
GAME SCHEDULE
  • Game times each day will be 12 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
  • The championship game will be played at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 19.
  • All times are Eastern Daylight Time.
UIC FLAMES WOMEN'S BASKETBALL GEAR
  • Stock up on UIC Flames merchandise before heading to the WBI by visiting UICFlamesShop.com.
 
 
 
 
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