CHICAGO (November 16, 2021) – After splitting a pair of games last week to open the 2021-22 season, Loyola University Chicago (1-1) will wrap up a brief two-game road swing on Wednesday, November 17 when it heads north to Evanston, Ill. for a clash with Northwestern. The Ramblers and Wildcats are scheduled for a 7 p.m. tip-off inside Welsh-Ryan Arena.
LAST TIME OUT
DePaul forced 21 Loyola turnovers as it dealt the Ramblers an 87-53 setback this past Friday at Wintrust Arena in the South Loop.
Allison Day and
Jala Johnson both reached double figures in scoring for the Maroon & Gold, chipping in 10 points apiece.
Sam Galanopoulos dished out a team-high four assists, while
Julia Hoefling finished the night with four blocks.
LOYOLA/NORTHWESTERN – THE SERIES
Separated by just over six miles, Loyola and Northwestern will battle for the 25th time this evening in Evanston. The Wildcats own an unblemished 24-0 (1.000) record against the Maroon & Gold, but the two teams have not met since the 2015-16 season.
In the aforementioned clash back on December 13, 2015, Loyola pushed then No. 12/14 Northwestern to the limit, as it ultimately dropped an 81-72 decision inside Gentile Arena. Taylor Manuel led a quarter of Ramblers in double figures with 20 points, while current Loyola assistant coach Maggie Lyon was one of four Wildcats to crack the 10-point mark, adding 15 points.
CAT SCRATCH FEVER
After finishing last season at 16-9 overall (11-7 B1G) en route to advancing to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament, Northwestern has enjoyed a fast start to the 2021-22 campaign with dominant wins over UIC, 72-49, and UC Santa Barbara, 72-46.
Head coach Joe McKeown is in his 14th season at the front of the Wildcats' bench. During his time in Evanston, McKeown, who is fourth among active Big Ten coaches in total wins, has guided Northwestern to eight winning seasons and has guided the team to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances.
Two-time defending Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Veronica Burton spearheads the attack for McKeown's club, putting up a team-high 21.0 points per game. Courtney Shaw has also been a handful at both ends of the floor, averaging 11.5 points and 11.5 rebounds across the team's first two games of 2021-22.
UP NEXT
Loyola opens up a three-game homestand on Saturday, November 20 when it welcomes Chicago State to Gentile Arena for a 12 p.m. tip-off.
