CHICAGO (February 7, 2020) - Loyola looks to extend its win streak at Gentile Arena to six games Sunday afternoon when Valparaiso visits Rogers Park for a nationally televised contest. The Ramblers are 12-5 in the last 17 outings overall, but have dropped three of their last four contests. Sunday's game opens a stretch that will see Loyola play three of its next four games at home.

Dating back to the 2016-17 season, Loyola has won 23 of its last 25 (.920) home games in Missouri Valley Conference play and since the start of the 2017-18 campaign is 21-2 (.913) at Gentile Arena in Valley competition. During their first three seasons in The Valley, the Ramblers notched an 11-16 (.407) ledger at home in league play, but are 27-5 (.844) at home in league action since the start of the 2016-17 campaign.

In their last five victories, the Ramblers have yielded only 49.6 points per contest, while holding opponents to 39.2 percent (96-for-245) accuracy from the field and 28.6 percent (34-for-119) from three-point range.

In its last two home games against Valparaiso, Loyola is putting up 75.5 points per game and shooting 53.5 percent (54-for-101) from the field, 43.3 percent (13-for-30) from three-point range and 78.9 percent (30-for-38) from the foul line, while limiting the Crusaders to 32.4 percent (11-for-34) shooting from beyond the arc.

The Ramblers are averaging 69.8 ppg and shooting a hearty 58.2 percent (106-for-182) from the field and 46 percent (23-for-50) from beyond the arc in their last four appearances at Gentile Arena.

Loyola – Valparaiso – The Series

Loyola and Valparaiso will meet for the 56th time in a series that started nearly a century ago, in 1922. The Ramblers have won seven of the last eight meetings, including each of the last six, and they own a 40-15 advantage in the all-time series. Since joining the Missouri Valley Conference, Loyola is 6-0 versus Valparaiso.

When playing in Chicago, the Ramblers are 19-7 against the Crusaders and have won two straight against their long-standing rival at Gentile Arena.

In the previous matchup between the teams this season, Loyola led by as many as 14 points in the second half, then had to hold off a late rally to slip past Valparaiso, 66-63, at the Athletics-Recreation Center in The Valley opener for both clubs on December 30. Jalon Pipkins and Cameron Krutwig scored 13 points apiece for the Ramblers, with Krutwig hauling in 12 rebounds.

Scouting Valparaiso

Since falling to Loyola in the MVC opener for both teams on December 30, Valparaiso has split its last 10 contests. The Crusaders have not won consecutive games since prevailing in three straight, November 12 through 22.

Valpo is 3-8 in true road games this season, including 1-4 in Valley action, with its lone road win in league play being an 81-79 overtime decision at Evansville.

Sophomore guard Javon Freeman-Liberty leads The Valley in scoring (19.7 ppg) and also contributes 5.8 rpg, 3.1 apg and 2.2 spg. Ryan Fazekas, who has missed 17 games due to injury, adds 10.6 ppg and is shooting 45.9 percent from long range.

Up Next

Loyola closes out the season series with Evansville February 12 when it travels to Ford Center for a 6 p.m. CT showdown with the Purple Aces.