Sports

Belmont Bruins (21-3, 11-2 MVC) at UIC Flames (13-11, 8-5 MVC)

Chicago; Friday, 9 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: UIC hosts Belmont after Rashund Washington Jr. scored 22 points in UIC's 81-74 loss to the Murray State Racers.

The Flames are 7-3 on their home court. UIC is the MVC leader with 11.2 offensive rebounds per game led by Jayce Nathaniel averaging 2.5.

The Bruins are 11-2 in conference games. Belmont averages 84.0 points and has outscored opponents by 12.4 points per game.

UIC's average of 6.2 made 3-pointers per game is 3.8 fewer made shots on average than the 10.0 per game Belmont allows. Belmont has shot at a 51.8% clip from the field this season, 9.3 percentage points greater than the 42.5% shooting opponents of UIC have averaged.

The Flames and Bruins square off Friday for the first time in conference play this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Ahmad Henderson II is scoring 12.8 points per game and averaging 1.7 rebounds for the Flames. Josiah Hammons is averaging 1.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Tyler Lundblade is shooting 38.5% from beyond the arc with 3.3 made 3-pointers per game for the Bruins, while averaging 15.1 points. Jabez Jenkins is averaging 12.6 points over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Flames: 8-2, averaging 71.4 points, 32.7 rebounds, 13.8 assists, 7.6 steals and 3.2 blocks per game while shooting 44.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 65.0 points per game.

Bruins: 9-1, averaging 82.6 points, 29.4 rebounds, 17.9 assists, 6.0 steals and 3.4 blocks per game while shooting 52.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 75.1 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

UConn Huskies (22-1, 12-0 Big East) at St. John's Red Storm (17-5, 10-1 Big East)

New York; Friday, 8 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Huskies -1.5; over/under is 145.5

BOTTOM LINE: No. 3 UConn seeks to keep its 18-game win streak alive when the Huskies take on No. 22 St. John's.

The Red Storm have gone 10-2 in home games. St. John's has a 0-1 record in games decided by less than 4 points.

The Huskies have gone 12-0 against Big East opponents. UConn has a 2-0 record in one-possession games.

St. John's averages 84.6 points, 20.8 more per game than the 63.8 UConn gives up. UConn has shot at a 48.8% clip from the field this season, 6.6 percentage points greater than the 42.2% shooting opponents of St. John's have averaged.

The Red Storm and Huskies match up Friday for the first time in conference play this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Zuby Ejiofor is averaging 15.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and two blocks for the Red Storm. Bryce Hopkins is averaging 13.2 points over the last 10 games.

Tarris Reed Jr. is averaging 14.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks for the Huskies. Silas Demary Jr. is averaging 13.3 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Red Storm: 9-1, averaging 83.1 points, 34.1 rebounds, 15.7 assists, 7.4 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 45.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 71.9 points per game.

Huskies: 10-0, averaging 81.0 points, 34.1 rebounds, 19.0 assists, 7.7 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 47.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 67.4 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Murray State Racers (17-7, 9-4 MVC) at Southern Illinois Salukis (10-13, 4-8 MVC)

Carbondale, Illinois; Friday, 8 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Southern Illinois hosts Murray State after Quel'Ron House scored 22 points in Southern Illinois' 54-50 win over the Illinois State Redbirds.

The Salukis are 6-4 in home games. Southern Illinois ranks fifth in the MVC in team defense, allowing 71.0 points while holding opponents to 41.9% shooting.

The Racers are 9-4 against MVC opponents. Murray State is fourth in the MVC with 24.5 defensive rebounds per game led by Fredrick King averaging 5.3.

Southern Illinois is shooting 46.0% from the field this season, 0.1 percentage points higher than the 45.9% Murray State allows to opponents. Murray State averages 15.1 more points per game (86.1) than Southern Illinois gives up to opponents (71.0).

The Salukis and Racers match up Friday for the first time in MVC play this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: House is scoring 13.9 points per game with 3.0 rebounds and 3.1 assists for the Salukis. Rolyns Aligbe is averaging 10.3 points and 7.4 rebounds over the last 10 games.

Javon Jackson is averaging 16.6 points for the Racers. Roman Domon is averaging 14.8 points and 5.1 rebounds over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Salukis: 4-6, averaging 67.0 points, 33.4 rebounds, 12.5 assists, 7.7 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 42.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 67.7 points per game.

Racers: 6-4, averaging 82.1 points, 35.9 rebounds, 12.6 assists, 6.0 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 45.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 80.1 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.