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Women's Basketball Hosts Eastern Michigan in Season Opener
EMU vs. UIC Game Notes - Friday, Nov. 13
Nov. 13, 2009
CHICAGO - The UIC women's basketball team opens the 2009-10 season tonight against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at 7:00 p.m. at the UIC Pavilion. UIC and EMU are meeting for the ninth time, but tonight's showdown is the first meeting since 1999. The Eagles lead the series, 6-2. The two wins for the Flames came in back-to-back contests in 1991 and 1992. "Eastern Michigan is going to be a great challenge. They're a much improved team from what they were a year ago, as are we," noted Flames head coach Lisa Ryckbosch. "They are very athletic, very aggressive and like to get after things in the same way that we do. I expect a battle of whose able to execute that efficiently in terms of taking care of the ball, controlling the glass and managing the little things." The Flames essentially return five starters to the lineup with junior guard Briana Hinkle returning from a knee injury that forced her to miss all but six games a year ago. Ryckbosch says her team is excited to get the season started. "I think our kids are very anxious to put last season behind us. We got off to a great start and I thought showed a glimpse of what we could be, but after Bree went down we were never able to sustain that image or identity," said the eighth-year head coach. Two of UIC's other starters, senior Jessie Miller and sophomore Jasmine Bailey, were recently named to the Horizon League Women's Basketball Preseason Team. Miller, a First Team selection, led the Flames in scoring (13.0 ppg), assists (2.8 apg) and steals (1.9 spg) last year. Bailey, a Second Team honoree, led the Flames in rebounding (6.5 rpg) and was named the Horizon League Newcomer of the Year last season. "They both have proven that they are among the best players in the league and every year you like to see your players grow and build on what they've done in the past," said Ryckbosch. "They're both competitive kids, so from their perspective, I know they're striving for more." Miller and Bailey aren't the only Flames who will be counted upon this season. Senior Cassie Johnson led the Horizon League in blocked shots last season with 1.5 rejections per game, and she poured in 27 points in UIC's exhibition victory over St. Xavier on Tuesday night. Shameia Green, who joined Bailey on the Horizon League All-Newcomer Team last season, rounds out the starting five. "I think we have the talent, the depth and the balance to a much greater degree than we've had in the past. Our expectations are high and we'd love to open up with a great start," said Ryckbosch. UIC will hit the road after tonight's game and travel to Peoria, Ill. on Sunday to take on the Bradley Braves. Tip-off for that game is set for 2:05 p.m.
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