CHICAGO (Jan. 18, 2023) – Wrapping up a three-game Missouri Valley Conference homestand, the UIC women's basketball team (8-7, 1-3 MVC) will face Bradley and Illinois State this weekend at Credit Union 1 Arena. The Flames will take on the Braves at 7 p.m. (CT) Friday and the Redbirds at 1 p.m. (CT) Sunday, with both games televised live on ESPN+.
 
GAME INFORMATION vs. Bradley (5-11, 1-4 MVC)
Friday, Jan. 19 | 7 p.m. CT
Credit Union 1 Arena | Chicago, Ill.
ESPN+
Live Stats
 
GAME INFORMATION vs. Illinois State (10-5, 3-2 MVC)
Sunday, Jan. 21 | 1 p.m. CT
Credit Union 1 Arena | Chicago, Ill.
ESPN+
Live Stats
 
LAST TIME OUT
UIC couldn't fend off Drake (12-4, 5-0 MVC) Sunday afternoon at Credit Union 1 Arena, falling in a physical MVC battle, 82-62. The Flames were led by senior forward Danyel Middleton (Chicago, Ill./Bolingbrook/Marquette) with a career-high 24 points, going 10-for-13 from the free throw line. Middleton played 29 minutes, shooting 6-of-11 from the field, while sinking 2-of-3 threes. She also grabbed four rebounds and added two steals.
 
Junior forward Makiyah Williams (Chicago, Ill./Trinity/Marquette) contributed 15 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter. Williams' 15-point performance extended her streak of scoring in double digits to nine games. She has scored in double digits in 12 games this season.
 
UIC recorded 12 steals in the game, a season high against any conference opponent. It is also the seventh time this season UIC has posted double-digit steals. In addition, the Flames went a season-high 19-for-24 (.792) from the free throw line against the Bulldogs.
 
SCOUTING BRADLEY
Bradley is 5-11 overall, with four of those wins coming in non-conference play over Central Michigan, Elon, Lindenwood and Quincy. Although it ended in a loss, the Braves also had a notable performance against Loyola, falling 67-62 in overtime. In Valley play, they've faced off against Illinois State (L, 78-74), Murray State (L, 99-52), Belmont (L, 89-47), Missouri State (L, 94-66) and Southern Illinois (W, 58-56).
 
Junior Kaylen Nelson leads Bradley in scoring (15.6 ppg), but she hasn't appeared in a game since Nov. 23. Meanwhile, freshman guard Halli Poock has stepped up for the Braves, averaging 12.4 points per game, with a 34-point performance on Dec. 30 against Illinois State. On the boards, Isis Fitch emerges as Bradley's leading rebounder, grabbing 5.5 per game.
 
SCOUTING ILLINOIS STATE
Illinois State came face-to-face with challenging opponents in the nonconference season, including Green Bay (L, 88-62), No. 5 NC State (L, 79-61), No. 19 Marquette (L, 64-62) and Saint Louis (W, 87-81). The Redbirds opened MVC play by defeating Bradley (78-74), followed by losses to Belmont (64-52) and Murray State (90-55). ISU is currently on a two-game win streak with wins over Southern Illinois (76-43) and Missouri State (85-78).
 
DeAnna Wilson leads Illinois State in scoring (15.3 ppg.) and is second in rebounding (6.9 rpg.), while Kate Bullman is the Redbirds' top rebounder (8.9 rpg.).
 
GAME PROMOTIONS
Sunday's contest against Illinois State will be sponsored by UI Health Center and is UIC's Play4Kay game, which honors warriors in the fight against all cancers affecting women. The nationwide initiative unites players, coaches, officials and fans to bring awareness about the disease.
 
TICKETS AND MORE
Tickets for all UIC home basketball games can be purchased online through Ticketmaster and UICFlames.com/Tickets, as well as through the UIC Athletics Ticket Office (312-413-UIC1) or by visiting the Credit Union 1 Arena box office on game night.
 
Passes to enjoy the Courtside Club at Credit Union 1 Arena for select UIC women's basketball home games (Jan. 21 vs. Illinois State; Feb. 4 vs. Valparaiso) are also now on sale. Club members will receive a number of perks including early arena access, unlimited refreshments (including complimentary beer and wine) and a private lounge space with flat-screen televisions and theater-style furniture.
 
For more information or to purchase Courtside Club passes, contact the UIC Athletics Ticket office (312-413-8421; athleticsticketing@uic.edu) or send a request through the Courtside Club page at UICFlames.com. Passes may also be purchased on game days through the Credit Union 1 Arena box office or the Courtside Club entrance located on the event level.
 
FOLLOW THE FLAMES
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).