NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — The Belmont Bruins will look to protect their home court and solidify their position in the conference standings when they host the Illinois-Chicago Flames in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Friday at Curb Events Center. The Bruins (14-9) enter the contest with momentum, having won their last two games on the road at Drake and Northern Iowa. Belmont’s balanced attack is led by guard Tuti Jones, who is coming off an 18-point, 4-rebound performance in the win over Northern Iowa on Feb. 7. Jones has been a consistent facilitator and defender for a Bruins squad that has won four of its last six. The visiting Flames (11-12) aim to build on a narrow 68-65 home victory over Evansville last Saturday. Their success largely hinges on the play of forward Julia Coleman, who recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds in that win. Coleman has been on a notable scoring run, averaging 17.1 points over her last seven games, including three 20-point performances. This matchup presents a contrast in recent trajectories. Belmont has found a rhythm in February, while UIC has alternated wins and losses over its past seven outings. The Flames will need secondary scoring beyond Coleman, potentially from guards like Jessica Carrothers, who added 18 points against Evansville, to challenge the Bruins on the road. Defensively, Belmont will focus on containing Coleman in the paint, while UIC must contend with a Bruins’ offense that features multiple threats, including Jailyn Banks and KK Brodie, who combined for 25 points in the last game. The game is the first of a regular-season series split, with the rematch scheduled for March 7 in Chicago. Tip-off is set for Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, in Nashville.