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CHICAGO (January 25, 2019) - After back-to-back road games, Loyola returns to Gentile Arena Sunday when it hosts in-state nemesis Southern Illinois. The Ramblers have won five of their last seven contests overall and their 5-2 start to Missouri Valley Conference play matches last year's record through the first seven league games as the program's best since joining the MVC. The Ramblers have prevailed in each of their last five outings overall at Gentile Arena and bring a 10-game, home-court winning streak in Valley play into Sunday's showdown. The last time Loyola won 10 straight home league games was February 1, 1984 through February 8, 1986, when it rattled off 12 consecutive wins on its home floor as a member of the Midwestern Collegiate Conference.

Through games of January 23, Loyola ranked ninth in the nation in scoring defense (61.5 ppg), one season after placing sixth in the country (62.6 ppg). 

Loyola's offense has been efficient at home this season and over the last five games in Rogers Park, the Ramblers are putting up 74.4 points per game and shooting 57.6 percent (137-for-238) from the field and 44.8 percent (39-for-87) from three-point land. 

Loyola – Southern Illinois – The Series

Loyola and Southern Illinois are meeting for the 14th time in a series that commenced in 1981. The Ramblers have won the last two encounters with the Salukis, both by double digits. Since joining the MVC, Loyola is 4-7 against Southern Illinois and seven of those 11 games have been decided by seven or fewer points.

In the last meeting between the teams, Loyola clinched the MVC regular season championship outright with a 75-56 victory at SIU Arena, February 21, 2018. The Ramblers got 16 points from Clayton Custer, 15 from Aundre Jackson, and 14 from Cameron Krutwig, while shooting 57.4 percent (31-for-54) as a team for the game.

Loyola is 3-3 all-time against Southern Illinois on its home floor and last season picked up a 79-65 win at Gentile Arena (Jan. 17, 2018) behind 25 points from Donte Ingram and 18 points from Krutwig.
 

In its last two games versus SIU, Loyola is averaging 77.0 ppg and shooting 56.9 (58-for-102) from the field and 40.5 percent (15-for-37) from three-point range.

Scouting Southern Illinois

Southern Illinois put an end to a four-game slide, rallying from a 21-point deficit to upend UNI, 70-62, Wednesday evening behind 17 points from Aaron Cook. The Salukis, who have battled injury and suspension this season, are 4-4 in true road games, but have lost three of their last four away from Carbondale.

Five players score in double figures for coach Barry Hinson's club, led by senior guard Armon Fletcher (13.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg). SIU ranks first in The Valley in both three-point field goal percentage (.375) and field goal percentage defense (.416).

Up Next

Loyola stays home for one more contest, hosting UNI Wednesday night (Jan. 30) at 6 p.m.