CHICAGO (December 8, 2020) - Loyola looks to open a season with back-to-back victories for the first time since its magical 2017-18 campaign when it reached the NCAA Final Four, as it hosts Chicago State in a rare midweek matinee Wednesday. The Ramblers began that 2017-18 season with seven consecutive wins. 

Under head coach Porter Moser, the Ramblers have started 2-0 on five previous occasions (2012-13, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18).Saturday's win over Lewis was Loyola's tenth straight at Gentile Arena. Loyola has won 14 of its last 15 contests on its home floor. 
 
Loyola – Chicago State – The Series
Despite the proximity between the schools, Loyola and Chicago State are meeting for the first time since January 20, 2013, when the Ramblers pulled out a 66-63 victory over overtime on the south side.
Ben Averkamp put up 18 points and 11 rebounds and Christian Thomas added 13 points and 12 boards for the Ramblers that day. 

Loyola holds a 9-1 edge in the all-time series with Chicago State and has won each of the last three matchups. Five of the ten previous meetings between the teams have been decided by six points or less and Loyola is a perfect 6-0 against Chicago State when playing on its home floor. 
 
Scouting Chicago State
Chicago State has dropped its first five contests of the 2020-21 campaign, all by 22 or more points, and is coming off a 111-66 setback at Northwestern on December 5.


Guard Levelle Zeigler leads the Cougars in scoring with 9.7 points per game and most recently poured in a team-high 18 points at Northwestern last weekend.

Chicago State head coach Lance Irvin, who has opted out of this season due to health concerns, was an assistant coach at Loyola under Larry Farmer and associate head coach Rodell Davis was on Porter Moser's inaugural staff at Loyola in 2011-12. 
 
Up Next
Loyola is scheduled to play its first road game of 2020-21 when it makes the short trip to the near west side to face UIC Sunday (Dec. 13) at 1 p.m.