JACKSONVILLE – The Jax State men's basketball team closes out a three-game homestand hosting the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) on Friday evening at 6 p.m. from Pete Mathews Coliseum.
 
The Gamecocks (4-5) face their toughest task of the season to date when the Flames (5-3) visit Jacksonville for the first time. UIC reached the championship game of the Baha Mar Hoops Invitational in Nassau, Bahamas over Thanksgiving week, in the process the Flames knocked off Conference USA's Middle Tennessee 70-40. Senior Isaiah Rivera leads the way offensively for UIC averaging 16 points, and the Flame defense ranks second nationally in three-point defense.
 
Looking to break through that perimeter defense will be Jax State's KyKy Tandy and Quincy Clark, averaging double figures of their own with 18.3 and 11.1, respectively. On the inside, senior Juwan Perdue is coming off his first double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds against ETSU on Sunday.
 
For fans planning to attend Friday's game, the Jax State Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is hosting a donation drive that night in the lobby of Pete Mathews Coliseum to help stock the Gamecock Market before the holiday season. Items requested for donations include canned items, fruit cups, sports drinks, women's hygiene products and disinfectant spray among other things. A complete list and more info about the Gamecock Market can be found HERE.
 
For those unable to make it to The Pete, Friday's 6 p.m. matchup broadcast on ESPN+ and over the Gamecock Sports Network with Mike Parris calling the action.
 
Jax State and UIC met for the first time in series history last season in the Windy City where the Flames claimed a 67-60 victory.