CHICAGO (December 31, 2020) – After splitting four non-conference games, Loyola University Chicago will raise the curtain on its 18-game Missouri Valley Conference slate this weekend when it welcomes Indiana State to Gentile Arena, January 1-2.

The Ramblers and Sycamores will open MVC play on New Year's Day at 12 p.m., before wrapping up the two-game set on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Rogers Park.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Loyola hung tough with Mid-American Conference preseason favorite Central Michigan back on December 21 in Rogers Park, ultimately dropping a 73-64 decision to the Chippewas.  Allison Day continued her sparkling play of late, finishing with a team-high 17 points, while Bre Hampton-Bey was named MVC Newcomer of the Week after adding 12 points.  Ellie Rice also reached double figures in scoring for the Maroon & Gold, chipping in 15 points.

LOYOLA/INDIANA STATE – THE SERIES
Loyola and Indiana State will battle for the 21st time in Friday's conference opener.  Over the past two seasons, the Ramblers have rattled off four straight wins over the Sycamores, closing Indiana State's lead in the all-time series to 12-8 (.600).  In 2019-20, Loyola picked up a 58-51 win at Hulman Center behind a team-best 12 points from Janae Gonzales, before Alexis Meyer erupted for a career-high tying 14 points as the Maroon & Gold erased an early nine-point deficit to claim a 65-55 victory in the return matchup in Rogers Park. The two teams were scheduled to meet in the opening round of the MVC Tournament, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

CAN'T SEE THE FOREST FOR THE TREES
Indiana State enters Valley play with a 3-2 (.600) overall record.  The Sycamores have been idle since dropping a 72-65 decision to Xavier back on December 14 in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Led by third-year head coach Vicki Hall, Indiana State was picked to finish ninth in the MVC Preseason Poll after going 5-25 (3-15 MVC) a season ago.  The Sycamores welcome back 11 letterwinners from 2019-20, led by MVC All-Freshman Team honoree Del'Janae Williams.  Williams made her first appearance of the year in the team's aforementioned loss to Xavier, finishing with 12 points.  Jamyra McChristine has put up nearly a double-double (11.4 ppg, 8.8 rpg) across five appearances, while Essy Latu (11.8 ppg) and Caitlin Anderson (11.6 ppg) also average in double figures in scoring.

UP NEXT
Loyola hits the road next weekend to battle No. 24/24 Missouri State, the reigning MVC regular season champion, in Springfield, Mo.  The Ramblers and Lady Bears will meet at 7 p.m. on Friday, January 8 and 5 p.m. on Saturday, January 9 inside JQH Arena.