CHICAGO (November 11, 2021) – Fresh off a dominant showing in both ends of the floor in its regular season opener earlier in the week, Loyola University Chicago (1-0) plays its first of back-to-back rivalry matchups on Friday, November 12 as it travels south to take on DePaul. Tip-off from inside Wintrust Arena is slated for 7 p.m.
LAST TIME OUT
Loyola shot 50 percent from the field and forced 21 Detroit Mercy turnovers en route to a 63-40 victory this past Tuesday at Gentile Arena.
Janae Gonzales provided a spark off the bench, knocking down four threes as part of a team-best 14-point performance.
Allison Day flirted with a double-double (11 points, 8 rebounds), while
Maya Chandler added 10 points.
LOYOLA – DePAUL – THE SERIES
Friday's matchup in the South Loop will mark the 49th meeting in the all-time series between Loyola and DePaul. The Blue Demons own a 38-10 (.792) edge in previous 48 encounters, having prevailed in 26 of the last 27 meetings. Loyola's lone win during the aforementioned stretch came on December 21, 2015 in an 88-75 triumph over the then No. 16/15 Blue Demons at McGrath-Phillips Arena.
Loyola gave DePaul all it could handle last season at Wintrust Arena, taking a lead into the fourth quarter before the hosts used a 15-0 run to seize control en route to a 76-67 win. Maya Chandler led the Maroon & Gold in the defeat, pouring in 14 points, while Allison Day (11 points) and Ellie Rice (10 points) also scored in double figures.
EXORCISING DEMONS
Under the direction of veteran head coach Doug Bruno, DePaul, which is receiving votes in both the Associated Press Top 25 and USA Today Coaches Poll, cruised to a 114-71 win over visiting Texas Southern on Tuesday night.
The Blue Demons were picked second in the BIG EAST Conference Preseason Poll, finishing behind only No. 2/2 UConn. Bruno's squad welcomes back all five starters from last season's team that finished 14-10 overall (11-5 BIG EAST) en route to appearing in the Women's National Invitation Tournament.
Leading DePaul's group of returners is pairing of Sonya Morris and Lexi Held, both of whom were named First Team All-BIG EAST selections in 2020-21. Morris averaged a team-high 19.3 points last season, while Held was hot on her heels, contributing 16.6 points per contest.
UP NEXT
Loyola battles another local foe on Wednesday, November 17 when it travels up Sheridan Road to Welsh-Ryan Arena for a 7 p.m. tilt with Northwestern.
