CHICAGO (February 27, 2020) - Entering the final game of the 2019-20 regular season, Loyola needs a victory at Bradley on Saturday, coupled with a Northern Iowa loss at Drake, to secure a share of its third straight Missouri Valley Conference crown. The Ramblers, who are 17-6 in their last 23 contests, have won 20 or more games in three consecutive seasons for the first time since the 1961-62 through 1963-64 campaigns.

Loyola can finish no worse than tied for second place in The Valley race, marking the first time since doing so six straight times from 1979-80 through 1984-85, that the Ramblers have finished second or better in the conference standings in three straight years.

For the first time in over 70 years, Loyola has won 18 or more games in four consecutive seasons. The last time the Ramblers had accomplished the feat was at the beginning of the post-World-War-II era, from the 1945-46 through 1948-49 seasons.

Since the start of the 2017-18 season, Loyola is 14-12 (.538) on the road in MVC play, but has not won at Carver Arena (Bradley) or JQH Arena (Missouri State) during that stretch.

This marks only the second time in program history that Loyola has won 10 or more conference contests in three consecutive years. The only other time that occurred was the 1982-83 through 1984-85 seasons, when the Ramblers were members of the Midwestern Collegiate Conference, and won 12, 10 and 13 league games, respectively.

Prior to Moser's arrival as head coach in April 2011, Loyola had produced just one winning season in the previous 26 years, but it now owns four 20-win campaigns under Moser, with all of those coming in the last six seasons. His four 20-win seasons tie George Ireland and Tom Haggerty for the most ever by a Loyola head coach.

Loyola – Bradley – The Series

Loyola and Bradley will meet for the 65th time in a series that started in 1928. Although the Braves hold a 36-28 edge in the all-time series, the Ramblers have claimed eight of the last 11 matchups and 11 of the last 15. Since joining the Missouri Valley Conference, Loyola is 11-6 against Bradley.

When playing in Peoria, Loyola is 8-23 all-time against Bradley, but has won five of the last eight games at Carver Arena. The Braves have won the last two meetings on their home floor, including a 61-54 decision there last season.

Four weeks ago, when the teams faced off in Chicago, Cameron Krutwig scored 19 points, Tate Hall added 14, and Keith Clemons chipped in 10, to lead the Ramblers to a 62-51 victory. The Ramblers dominated the glass that night, outrebounding the Braves, 34-23, and also forced 17 turnovers.

Scouting Bradley

Bradley is one of the hottest teams in The Valley and enters the weekend having won five of its last six contests, with the last two wins coming in overtime. Like many MVC teams, the Braves are a tough out at home this season and sport a 15-1 ledger at Carver Arena, with the lone loss coming at the hands of Northern Iowa on January 18 (86-71). Bradley has won five straight on its home floor.

The duo of Darrell Brown (14.7 ppg, 4.5 apg) and Elijah Childs (14.4 ppg, 8.7 rpg) leads the Braves, who are also getting a career year out of senior guard Nate Kennell (12.6 ppg). Bradley leads The Valley in field goal percentage defense (.392).

Up Next

Loyola will play a quarterfinal game at the Missouri Valley Conference Championship on Friday, March 6 in St. Louis. Time and opponent are yet to be determined.