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CHICAGO (December 8, 2017) - Coming off arguably the program's biggest win in over 30 years, a 65-59 victory at No. 5 Florida, Loyola returns home to host Norfolk State Saturday afternoon in its last game before final exams. The Ramblers have won their last seven games at Gentile Arena and are 14-2 overall in their last 16 contests versus non-Missouri Valley Conference foes. At 9-1, Loyola is off to its best start through nine games since 1965-66 when it won nine of its first 10 contests and went on to earn a NCAA Tournament berth. The Ramblers opened the 2017-18 season with seven straight wins, marking just the fourth time since World War II that they have achieved that feat. Through games of December 6, Loyola's nine wins were tops among Illinois schools.
 
Series Stuff
Loyola Norfolk State are meeting for just the second time and the Ramblers picked up a 75-62 victory in the only previous meeting between the teams last season at Gentile Arena.  In that game, Loyola used a 12-0 run in the second half to pull away for the victory as Clayton Custer (20) and Aundre Jackson (19) combined for 39 points. The Ramblers are 10-1 all-time against current members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
 
Scouting Norfolk State
Norfolk State has dropped its first eight games of the season and 10 straight dating back to last year. The Spartans are 0-5 away from home this season and are winless in four true road games. Loyola and Norfolk State share a common opponent in Kent State, which topped the Spartans, 79-70, on November 29. Four Spartans average double-digit points, led by sophomore guard Steven Whitley (12.1 ppg), who is also corralling 5.3 rebounds per outing.
 
Up Next
Loyola is off until December 16 when it makes the short trek north to face former conference mate, Milwaukee.