Preview: Murray State Racers at Illinois-Chicago Flames

CHICAGO (Interstat) — The surging Murray State women’s basketball team, boasting one of the nation’s top records, visits the UIC Pavilion on Thursday for a Missouri Valley Conference rematch against Illinois-Chicago.

The eighth-ranked Racers (27-3, 16-1 MVC) enter on a nine-game winning streak, including a 99-80 rout of Evansville on Saturday. Their lone conference loss came in January. The Flames (14-15, 8-9), seeking a winning season, aim to defend their home court and avenge a narrow loss from three weeks prior.

In the teams’ first meeting on Feb. 15 in Murray, Kentucky, the Racers escaped with a 79-77 victory. Murray State’s Sharnecce Currie-Jelks posted a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds in that contest. She enters Thursday in strong form, averaging 17.1 points over her last seven games, including a 24-point effort against Evansville.

Illinois-Chicago’s Jessica Carrothers scored 21 points in the February defeat and has been a consistent force. The guard is averaging 18.1 points over her last eight games, highlighted by a 24-point, six-assist performance at Indiana State on Feb. 19.

Murray State’s offense has been dominant during its streak, scoring 95 points or more in four of the last five games. Alongside Currie-Jelks, guards Halli Poock (27 points vs. Evansville) and Haven Ford (23 points, 6 assists vs. Evansville) provide potent scoring balance.

The Flames have alternated wins and losses over their last six games. Following a 68-82 loss at Northern Iowa, they will rely on Carrothers and forward Julia Coleman, who had 18 points against the Panthers, to challenge the Racers’ high-powered attack.

A UIC upset would provide a major resume boost ahead of the conference tournament. For Murray State, a win is crucial to maintain its standing atop the MVC and bolster its case for a high seed in the NCAA tournament.

Thursday’s tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CST. Murray State visits Valparaiso on Saturday, while Illinois-Chicago hosts Belmont.