CHICAGO (December 11, 2020) – Following a win in its regular-season opener two weeks ago, Loyola is back on the hardwood on Sunday afternoon when it battles local rival No. 24/23 DePaul. Tip-off from Wintrust Arena is slated for 3 p.m.
Off to its second 1-0 start in as many seasons, Loyola has picked up wins in back-to-back regular-season openers for the first time since the 1985-86 and and 1986-87 campaigns.
LAST TIME OUT
Loyola shook off a sluggish start as it cruised to a 70-57 victory over Chicago State back on November 28 at the Jones Convocation Center.
Sitori Tanin paced a quartet of Ramblers to reach double figures in scoring, pouring in 16 points in her collegiate debut.
Maya Chandler added 14 points, while
Ellie Rice secured her first career double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds).
LOYOLA – DePAUL – THE SERIES
Just five miles apart on Chicago's North Side, Loyola and DePaul will clash for the 48th time on Sunday afternoon. The Blue Demons have controlled the all-time series to the tune of a 37-10 (.787) lead, prevailing in 25 of the last 26 encounters. Loyola's lone win during that stretch came back on December 21, 2015 when the Maroon & Gold picked up an 88-75 win over then No. 16/15 DePaul at McGrath-Phillips Arena. In the meeting between the two teams last season at Gentile Arena, Loyola battled back from a 14-point first-half deficit to take a lead in the fourth quarter, before ultimately falling by a final count of 83-76.
Allison Day finished with a team-high 16 points, while
Jala Johnson provided the Ramblers' with a lift off the bench, adding 14 points.
EXORCISING DEMONS
Under the direction of veteran head coach Doug Bruno, DePaul currently sits at 1-2 overall following a 116-75 setback to No. 2/2 Louisville on December 4 as part of the Jimmy V Women's Classic in Uncasville, Conn. The Blue Demons, who were picked to finish second in the BIG EAST Conference Preseason Poll, currently sit at No. 24 in the Associated Press Top 25 and No. 23 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. Bruno's team features a balanced attack with five players who average in double figures in scoring. Leading the way for that quintet in Dee Bekejla, who pours in a team-best 19.0 ppg. The pairing of Lexi Held and Sonya Morris, both of whom were selected to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team, both add 16.7 ppg.
UP NEXT
Loyola makes its first appearance of the 2020-21 season inside Gentile Arena on Friday, December 18 when it plays host to Purdue Northwest at 7 p.m. Fans will not be permitted to attend but the game will be broadcast on either ESPN3 or ESPN+.
