DePaul Returns Home to Host UIC Friday Night

Friday, December 13

Chicago, Ill.

7 p.m.

DePaul University

UIC

Sharkara McCline dribbles in front of defender.

12/12/2024 8:43:00 PM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

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Blue Demons and Flames meet for first time since 2010

CHICAGO – DePaul women's basketball begins a five-game homestand including a rugged stretch of three games in five days on Friday, Dec. 13 when crosstown foe UIC visits Wintrust Arena. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.

Live coverage can be found on Marquee Sports Network with Max Thoma and Kenny McReynolds on the call. Live stats are available via StatBroadcast.

Single-game tickets are still available here.

Demon Doings
DePaul (3-7) returns to Wintrust Arena for the remainder of December after just four games at home through their first 10 contests.

The Blue Demons are coming off a loss to then-No. 24 Michigan State on the road last Sunday in which graduate forward Jorie Allen notched her first double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Against the Spartans, sophomore guard Grace Carstensen knocked down five three-point field goals off the bench for a career-high 15 points.

Allen has led the Blue Demons all season long, finishing in double figures in all 10 games while averaging a team-best 18.0 points per game in addition to 6.8 rebounds. Junior guard Taylor Johnson-Matthews is second on the team with 12.0 points per contest.

DePaul's 14.8 offensive rebounds per game is first in the BIG EAST and top-50 nationally. Meg Newman's average of 7.5 boards ranks fifth amongst league players.

The Blue Demons have played one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country with their strength of schedule ranking 11th in the country and first amongst BIG EAST teams. DePaul has played four ranked teams, three in the top 10, and six who appeared in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

UIC Notes
The Flames are 2-4 on the season and coming off a resounding 113-53 victory over Division III North Central College last weekend.

The Flames boast a balanced offense with three players averaging double figures led by Makiyah Williams' 13.3 points per game. The veteran laden group has 11 players averaging 10 or more minutes per game.

As a team, the Flames rank second nationally in bench points with 38.8 per contest while also shooting the ball well from distance at a 38.5 percent clip which is good for 18th in Division I.

Head coach Ashleen Bracey is in her third season at the helm of the UIC program.

Series Stuff
The two programs meet for the first time since 2010 and will face off on the hardwood for the 43rd time on Friday night. DePaul holds the resounding 37-5 edge in the series history.

The Blue Demons have won 35 in a row in the series and are a perfect 18-0 in games played at home against the Flames.

Friday's matchup will be the first time the two teams play at Wintrust Arena.

Chicago Ties
UIC graduate forward Keimari Rimmer spent four seasons with the Blue Demons and appeared in 57 games Demons from 2019-2023. The Chicago native graduated from DePaul with a degree in Sociology.

Flames assistant coach Caprice Smith was a four-year standout at DePaul from 2004-2008, leading the Blue Demons to four NCAA Tournaments including the 2006 Sweet 16. Smith served as video coordinator on Doug Bruno's staff for two seasons prior to landing at UIC.

DePaul's longtime assistant coach Lisa Ryckbosch spent nine seasons as the head coach at UIC from 2002-2011.

Up Next
The Blue Demons will face a quick turnaround with UNLV visiting the South Loop on Sunday, Dec. 17. Tipoff on Marquee Sports Network is set for 2 p.m. CT.

Ticket Information
Season Tickets for the 2024-25 women's basketball season at Wintrust Arena start at $95. Secure your seats today at www.DePaulBlueDemons.com/tickets and commit to DePaul Women's Basketball!

Mobile Passes, Group Outings, Suite Rentals and Single-Game Tickets are on sale now. Fans can stay up-to-date on special ticket offers by signing up for email or text updates from DePaul Athletics.

Follow the Blue Demons
For all the latest information on DePaul Women's Basketball, visit DePaulBlueDemons.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Blue Demons on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.