DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University men's basketball team will play its final non-conference road game of the season on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 19, when the Huskies travel to Chicago to face UIC. Game time against the Flames is scheduled for 1 p.m. and will be available on ESPN+.

NIU enters Sunday's matchup on the heels of a 70-59 victory at Chicago State on Monday (Dec. 13). Keshawn Williams scored 19 points to help lead the Huskies to the victory. The Huskies shot 48.1 percent (13-of-27) from the field in the second half to outscore the Cougars, 48-32, after the intermission.

Trendon Hankerson had 13 points against Chicago State, including 3-of-4 from three-point range. As a team, the Huskies were 7-of-14 from beyond the arc on Monday and over the last four games, Hankerson is shooting 55.6 percent (10-of-18) from three-point range.  

The Flames bring a 3-7 overall record, 0-2 in Horizon League play, into Sunday's contest. Last time out, UIC fell at home to DePaul, 72-66 (Dec. 14). Three players score in double figures for the Flames, led by 16.7 points per game from Damaria Franklin, who is also the leading rebounder for UIC at 8.2 boards per game. Zion Griffin adds 11.7 points per contest and Kevin Johnson is averaging 10.8 points per game.

NIU's trip to UIC will be its first against the Flames in Chicago since Dec. 29, 2015, each of the last three meetings between the two programs has been in DeKalb. 

Sunday's contest ends a season-opening 10-game stretch that sees the Huskies play nine games away from home. NIU will play its next two in DeKalb as the Huskies host Indiana State on Wednesday, Dec. 22 and open league play against Ball State on Tuesday, Dec. 28. 

Huskie Flex Plans are now available for the 2021-22 basketball season. Purchase vouchers for $6 each and use them throughout the season to attend Huskie men's and women's basketball home games. Simply redeem vouchers for tickets at the box office prior to the game. Tickets can be purchased online at NIUHuskies.com/MyHuskies or by calling the NIU Athletics Ticket Office at 815-753-PACK (7225).