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CHICAGO (February 15, 2019) - Loyola's eight-game home winning streak gets put to the test Sunday when Missouri State invades Gentile Arena for a pivotal Missouri Valley Conference matchup. The Ramblers, who are trying to win back-to-back regular-season conference titles for the first time in program history, hold a one-game lead over the Bears atop The Valley standings. Loyola has won 13 straight Valley home games, with the last setback coming versus Indiana State (61-57), January 3, 2018. The program record for consecutive home league wins is 14, which occurred January 12, 1980 through February 1, 1982.
Over their last four contests at Gentile Arena, the Ramblers are racking up 73.3 ppg and shooting the ball as well as anyone in the Valley, or the country for that matter, connecting on 54.7 percent (105-for-192) of their attempts from the field and 56.6 percent (30-for-53) from three-point territory. Sundays have been fun days for the Ramblers. Loyola has prevailed in each of its last 10 games played on Sunday. So far this season, the Ramblers are 5-1 in Valley games played on Saturday or Sunday.
Head coach Dana Ford, who is in his first year as the bench boss at Missouri State, played for Porter Moser for three seasons at Illinois State, from 2003-06.
Loyola – Missouri State – The Series
Loyola and Missouri State are meeting for the 13th time in a series that began in 1964. The Ramblers own a slim 7-5 edge all-time, but the Bears have won three of the last four meetings between the clubs.
When the teams met earlier this season at JQH Arena, Missouri State shot 63.4 percent (26-for-41) from the field and hit 12 threes to roll to a 70-35 victory, the fewest points scored by Loyola since November 14, 1998 (29 at Wisconsin). Cameron Krutwig recorded a team-best 15 points for the Ramblers, while Keandre Cook netted 21 to pace the Bears.
Loyola is 5-1 all-time against MSU in Chicago, with the only loss coming on January 9, 2016 (56-54). In last year's meeting at Gentile Arena, Clayton Custer delivered 23 points and six assists as the Ramblers connected on 60.9 percent (39-for-64) of their shots, including 10-for-20 from long distance, in a 97-75 decision. Since joining The Valley, Loyola is 6-5 against Missouri State. Six of the 12 matchups between the programs have been decided by six points or less.
Scouting Missouri State
Missouri State, which ranks second in The Valley in scoring offense with 71.3 ppg, enters Sunday's game on a three-game winning streak and has captured six of its last seven outings. That run began with last month's win over Loyola and since then the Bears' lone setback was a 64-59 decision at UNI two weeks ago. Three of Missouri State's last four wins have been by six points or less.
Although they are 4-8 in true road games this season, the Bears are 4-3 away from home in MVC play, winning two of their last three on enemy hardwood. Junior forward Tulio Da Silva leads MSU with 14.9 ppg and 7.0 rpg, while guards Keandre Cook (13.2 ppg) and Jarred Dixon (13.1 ppg) also score in double figures.
Up Next
Loyola hosts Evansville Wednesday night (Feb. 20) at 6 p.m. in a game that will be televised locally on NBC Sports Chicago.
