CHICAGO (February 27, 2020) – Loyola University Chicago (15-10, 6-8 MVC) will conclude the home portion of its 2019-20 schedule this coming weekend as it hosts a pair of foes from the state of Iowa. The Ramblers will battle Drake on Friday evening at 7 p.m. before taking on UNI in their home finale at 1 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.

Prior to tip-off against the Panthers, senior guard Tiara Wallace and student manager Wally Castelaz will be honored for their contributions to the program in a special ceremony.


LAST TIME OUT
Loyola held visiting Valparaiso to just 37.5 percent (18-of-48) shooting, but committed 31 turnovers as it dropped a 70-57 decision to the Crusaders last Saturday at Gentile Arena. Jala Johnson reached double figures in scoring for the sixth time this season in the defeat, finishing with a team-best 10 points (4-5 FGs, 2-3 3FGs), while Abby O'Connor narrowly missed out on a double-double, adding nine points (4-13 FGs, 1-7 3FGs) and eight rebounds.

LOYOLA – DRAKE – THE SERIES
Loyola and Drake will battle for the 20th time on Friday evening in Rogers Park as part of an all-time series in which the Bulldogs hold a commanding 16-3 (.842) advantage.  Since dropping a 75-69 decision to the Ramblers in the first meeting between the two schools as MVC foes back on January 24, 2014, the Bulldogs have rattled off 12 straight wins against the Maroon & Gold.  Drake shot 47 percent (28-of-60) en route to picking up an 80-52 win over Loyola back on February 2 at the Knapp Center in Des Moines, Iowa.  Sam Galanopoulos matched her season high with 13 points (5-7 FGs, 1-2 3FGs, 2-2 FTs) in addition to three rebounds and three assists. Becca Hittner led Drake with 17 points (7-13 FGs, 2-5 3FGs, 1-2 FTs).
 

LOYOLA – UNI – THE SERIES
Sunday's matinee marks the 16th meeting between Loyola and UNI on the hardwood.  The Panthers have won 12 of the 13 matchups since the programs became Valley rivals, opening up a 12-3 (.800) in the all-time series.  Loyola's lone win in that stretch came during the 2015-16 season, when it earned a 64-60 win at Gentile Arena.  When the two teams met at the McLeod Center on January 31, UNI used a 10-0 surge spanning the first and second quarters to seize control en route to a 70-50 victory over the Maroon & Gold.  Wallace paced the Ramblers in matchup, closing the night with 10 points (5-8 FGs), four assists, and two blocks. 


BEWARE THE BITE OF THIS DOG
Winners of four straight and seven of its last eight games, Drake rolls into Rogers Park sitting at 20-7 (.741) overall and 12-3 (.800) in Missouri Valley Conference play.  Two-time MVC Coach of the Year Jennie Baranczyk's team picked up a pair of hard fought wins on its home floor last week, downing Bradley, 85-72, and Illinois State, 87-82, respectively.  Sara Rhine averaged a double-double (22.5 ppg, 11.0 rpg) across the two wins en route to being named the MVC Player of the Week, while Kierra Collier (16.0 ppg) was tabbed MVC Newcomer of the Week.  Two-time defending Jackie Stiles Player of the Year Becca Hittner averages a team-high 18.3 points, with Rhine hot on her heels, adding in 18.0 points per game. Rhine also sits as the team's top rebounder (7.8 rpg) for a Drake side that leads The Valley in scoring at 82.8 ppg, a mark that ranks sixth overall nationally.
 

PURPLE REIGN
After splitting its last six games, UNI, which takes on Valparaiso on Friday, enters the weekend with a mark of 16-10 (.615) that includes an 8-7 (.533) ledger in Valley action.  Following a crucial 64-57 win over Bradley this past Sunday, the Panthers currently finds themselves sitting fourth in the MVC standings with just three games remaining on their schedule.  Under the direction of head coach Tanya Warren, a three-time Valley Coach of the Year honoree, UNI is led by 2018-19 First Team All-MVC selection Karli Rucker, who averages a team-best 12.8 points and 3.6 assists.  As has often been the case during Warren's tenure, the Panthers again rank near the top of the league leaderboard across multiple defensive categories, checking in second in both scoring defense (62.8 ppg) and field goal percentage defense (.389).


UP NEXT
Loyola hits the road to close out the regular season, visiting Southern Illinois (March 5) and No. 17/21 Missouri State (March 7) next week.