Loyola Game Notes vs. Bradley | Bradley Game Notes | The Valley on ESPN3 vs. Bradley | Live Stats vs. Bradley
 
Loyola Game Notes vs. Illinois State | Illinois State Game Notes | The Valley on ESPN3 vs. Illinois State | Live Stats vs. Illinois State

CHICAGO (January 4, 2018) – After opening Missouri Valley Conference play last weekend in Iowa, Loyola University Chicago returns home this weekend to host a pair of in-state league foes.  The Maroon & Gold will take on Bradley on Friday evening at 7 p.m., before wrapping up the brief homestand against Illinois State in a 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon tilt.  Both games are included as part of the inaugural season of the "Battle for Illinois" rivalry series.    

Bravehearted

• Bradley has picked up back-to-back victories to move two games above the .500 mark on the year at 7-5 overall.
• The Braves shook off a slow start on the offensive end to ultimately roll past Illinois State, 62-42, in the Valley opener for both teams last Sunday inside Redbird Arena in Normal, Ill.
• Shunseere Kent, who led the Braves with 15 points against the Redbirds, averages a team-high 9.1 points per game for second-year head coach Andrea Gorski's squad.  Chelsea Brackmann currently leads the team in rebounding at 7.6 rpg to go along with 8.5 ppg.

 
Birdwatching

• Illinois State, which opens the weekend with a trip to Valparaiso on Friday night, sits at 6-6 following the team's aforementioned loss to Bradley.  Head coach Kristen Gillespie is in her first season at the head of the Redbird bench.
• Simone Goods turned in a dominant showing against the Braves, posting game-high marks in both points (22) and rebounds (14).  Goods was the only member of the Redbird roster to reach double figures in scoring in the defeat.
• Goods has averaged just shy of a double-double (17.2 points per game, 9.7 rebounds per game) to lead the Illinois State attack on the year.  Hannah Green, who missed the Redbirds' Valley opener due to injury, ranks second on the team in scoring at 13.6 ppg.

Up Next

• Loyola will make the short trip to Valparaiso, Ind. next Friday to take on MVC newcomer Valparaiso. Tip-off from the Athletics-Recreation Center is scheduled for 7 p.m.