CHICAGO (January 18, 2021) – After seeing its last two weekend series postponed, Loyola University Chicago will return to action on Tuesday evening when it makes the short trip east to battle Valparaiso. Tip-off from inside the Athletics-Recreation Center in Valparaiso, Ind. is slated for 6 p.m.
The Ramblers' last two scheduled series against Missouri State (Jan. 8-9) and Southern Illinois (Jan. 15-16) were postponed due to positive COVID-19 tests among the Lady Bears' and Salukis' Tier 1 personnel.
LAST TIME OUT
Loyola received contributions from across the board as it salvaged a split in its series with Indiana State, defeating the Sycamores by a final count of 59-52 on January 2 at Gentile Arena.
Allison Day and
Anna Brown led the Ramblers with 12 points apiece, with Brown knocking down a trio of attempts from beyond the three-point arc in the third quarter, the last of which gave Loyola a lead it would not relinquish.
LOYOLA/VALPARAISO – THE SERIES
Former rivals in the Horizon League, Loyola and Valparaiso will battle for the 31st time this evening. The Crusaders hold a 24-6 (.800) edge in the previous 30 encounters and have been victorious in six of the seven meetings between the two teams as Missouri Valley Conference rivals.
Valparaiso swept the season series with Loyola in 2019-20. In the meeting at the Athletics-Recreation Center on January 24, 2020, the Crusaders erased a 12-point deficit in the final 3:45 of regulation to escape with a 66-64 victory. When the two teams clashed in Rogers Park on February 22, 2020, Loyola again built a double-digit advantage, opening up an 11-point lead in the first half, only to see Valparaiso to again battle back en route to a 70-57 triumph.
RING THE BELL
Picked seventh in the MVC Preseason Poll, Valparaiso has split its opening four Valley contests to sit at 2-2 (.500) in league play and 6-5 (.545) overall. Led by third-year head coach Mary Evans, the Crusaders picked up a trio of impressive wins during non-conference play, besting Illinois (62-59), Purdue (52-47), and Xavier (88-83).
The pairing of Carie Weinman and Shay Frederick leads the Valparaiso attack. Both members of the duo average 14.5 points, with Frederick also leading the team in assists (5.1 apg). Grace White, who also averages in double figures in scoring (12.9 ppg), pulls down a team-high 5.8 caroms per game. The Crusaders rely heavily on the three-point shot, having knocked down a Valley-best 8.7 triples per game, a mark that ranks in the top 30 nationally.
UP NEXT
Loyola remains on the road this weekend when it heads downstate to Peoria, Ill. for a two-game set with Bradley, January 22-23.
Friday evening's matchup at Renaissance Coliseum is set for 6 p.m., with the weekend finale scheduled for 4 p.m. on Saturday.
