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CHICAGO (February 25, 2019) - Loyola enters the final week of the regular season in a three-way tie for first place in a wild Missouri Valley Conference race. The Ramblers, winners of 10 of their last 16 Valley road contests, have won eight straight games versus teams from the state of Iowa.

The road hasn't been kind to the Ramblers recently, where they have managed just 51.0 ppg and knocked down 41.7 percent (75-for-228) of their field goal attempts and 23.1 percent (18-for-78) of their triple tries over the last five contests on enemy hardwood. Loyola also has 41 assists and 59 turnovers in that stretch.

In their last two regular-season outings versus UNI, the Ramblers are converting 50 percent (13-for-26) of their three-point attempts.

Loyola – UNI – The Series

Loyola and UNI are meeting for the 20th time in a series that began in 1994. The Ramblers have captured six of the last seven meetings between the teams, but trail the all-time series, 10-9. Close games have been the norm lately with five of the last eight matchups decided by six points or less.

Since joining The Valley, Loyola is 8-5 against UNI and Porter Moser is 10-12 (.455) all-time as a head coach versus the Panthers. When playing in Cedar Falls, the Ramblers are 2-6 all-time, but earned a 56-50 victory at McLeod Center last January thanks to 11 points from Clayton Custer.

In last month's meeting at Gentile Arena, Loyola erased a 10-point deficit early in the second half to earn a 61-60 victory for its fourth straight win versus UNI. Cameron Krutwig posted 22 points, 11 rebounds and five assists and sealed the outcome by burying his first career three-pointer in the final minute. Marques Townes added 19 points for the Ramblers, who shot 50 percent (22-for-44) from the field.

Scouting UNI

Northern Iowa is the hottest team in The Valley and brings a four-game winning streak into Wednesday's contest and each of those four victories has come by double digits. During that four-game stretch, UNI has surrendered just 54.5 ppg, holding opponents to 38.5 percent (79-for-205) field goal shooting.

The Panthers have gone 9-4 at McLeod Center this season, including a 6-2 mark in MVC play. UNI has won six of its last seven outings on its home floor, including each of the last two.

Freshman guard AJ Green is a near lock for MVC Freshman of the Year honors this season and leads the Panthers with 15.3 ppg, while also adding 2.1 apg. 

Up Next

Loyola wraps up the 2018-19 regular season Saturday at 5 p.m. when it hosts Bradley. Prior to the game, seniors Clayton Custer and Marques Townes will be recognized for their contributions to the program.