CHICAGO (September 22, 2020) – The Loyola University Chicago women's basketball team learned of its 2020-21 Missouri Valley Conference schedule on Tuesday, as announced by the league office.
 
A New Year's Day date with Valparaiso at the Athletics-Recreation Center officially kicks off the 18-game conference slate for fifth-year head coach Kate Achter's squad, and also serves as the opening matchup of a three-game road trip that features clashes with perennial Valley powers Drake (Jan. 7) and UNI (Jan. 9).
 
After returning from Iowa, visits from Southern Illinois (Jan. 15) and reigning MVC regular-season champion Missouri State (Jan. 17) begin a stretch that will see the Ramblers play six of their next eight games within the friendly confines of Gentile Arena.  The Maroon & Gold hits the road for the final time until mid-February the following weekend, when it heads to the Hoosier State to match up against Indiana State (Jan. 22) and Evansville (Jan. 24).
 
Loyola closes out the month of January when it welcomes a pair of in-state rivals to Gentile Arena in Illinois State (Jan. 29) and Bradley (Jan. 31), opening up a four-game homestand that also features tilts with UNI (Feb. 5) and Drake (Feb. 7) to begin the second swing through MVC play.
 
Another formidable road trip lies in wait shortly after, as the Ramblers travel to Missouri State (Feb. 12) and Southern Illinois (Feb. 14), before welcoming Evansville (Feb. 18) and Indiana State (Feb. 20) to Rogers Park.  Loyola hits the road for the final time in 2020-21 when it travels down Interstate 55 to battle Bradley (Feb. 26) and Illinois State (Feb. 28).  Achter's group returns to Rogers Park for the final time on March 4 to battle Valparaiso in the regular season finale.
 
The Missouri Valley Conference Championship is set for March 11-14 and will again take place inside TaxSlayer Center in Moline, Ill.
 
Loyola's 2020-21 non-conference schedule and a decision on fan attendance at games will come at a later date. All dates are subject to change.
 
Loyola Women's Basketball 2020-21 Conference Schedule
Jan. 1 – at Valparaiso
Jan. 7 – at Drake
Jan. 9 – at UNI
Jan. 15 – Southern Illinois
Jan. 17 – Missouri State
Jan. 22 – at Indiana State
Jan. 24 – at Evansville
Jan. 29 – Illinois State
Jan. 31 – Bradley
Feb. 5 – UNI
Feb. 7 – Drake
Feb. 12 – at Missouri State
Feb. 14 – at Southern Illinois
Feb. 18 – Evansville
Feb. 20 – Indiana State
Feb. 26 – at Bradley
Feb. 28 – at Illinois State
March 4 – Valparaiso
March 11-14 – at MVC Championship (Moline, Ill.)