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CHICAGO (February 28, 2019) - With a victory over Bradley Saturday in the 2018-19 regular season finale, Loyola would clinch at least a share of the Missouri Valley Conference championship. That would mark the first time in program history that the Ramblers would have won back-to-back regular-season conference crowns. The Ramblers have won nine of their last 10 home games overall and have emerged victorious in 14 of their last 15 MVC contests at Gentile Arena. The lone loss in that stretch came at the hands of Missouri State (65-61) two weeks ago.

Prior to Saturday's game, guards Clayton Custer and Marques Townes will be honored on Senior Night for their contributions to the program. Over the last two seasons, the backcourt tandem has guided Loyola to a 50-18 (.735) overall record and led the program to MVC regular season and tournament titles as well as a Final Four appearance.

Gentile Arena has been a shooter's gym for the Ramblers of late. Over the last six games in Rogers Park, Loyola is converting 55.3 percent (157-for-284) of its field goal tries and 56.3 percent (40-for-71) of its long-distance dial-ups.

Loyola – Bradley – The Series

A long-standing rivalry between in-state foes is renewed Saturday as Loyola and Bradley meet for the 62nd time since 1928. Although the Braves possess a 35-26 edge in the all-time series, the Ramblers have captured nine of the last 12, and six of the last eight, meetings. Bradley has prevailed in two of the last three matchups. Since joining The Valley, Loyola is 9-5 against Bradley.

Loyola is 13-12 all-time against the Braves when playing on its home floor in Chicago and has won three of the last four showdowns at Gentile Arena, including an 81-65 decision last January. In that game, Cameron Krutwig was dominant, registering 21 points and 13 rebounds as the Ramblers shot 57.7 percent from the field.

When the teams squared off in Peoria just two weeks ago, Loyola was unable to hold on to an eight-point, first-half lead, succumbing to Bradley, 61-54. The Ramblers were led by Marques Townes, who accounted for 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals, while Cameron Krutwig pitched in 13 points and 11 boards.

Scouting Bradley

Bradley is playing its best basketball of the season right now and has prevailed in six of its last seven outings, including each of the last two. The Braves are 5-7 on the road this year and have split their eight Valley games on enemy hardwood.

Junior guard Darrell Brown averages a team-best 15.0 ppg and adds 3.0 apg, while shooting 45.7 percent (69-for-151) from three-point land. However, sophomore forward Elijah Childs has been unstoppable of late, putting up 18.3 ppg and 10.0 rpg and connecting on 61.5 percent (24-for-39) of his field goal tries over the last three contests.

Bradley boasts the top field goal percentage defense in The Valley at .410 and ranks tied for second in three-point field goal percentage defense (.322) and second only to Loyola in scoring defense (65.5).

Up Next

Loyola opens play at the Missouri Valley Conference Championship Friday in St. Louis, Time and opponent are still to be determined.