SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (February 1, 2021)
 
In Short
Cameron Krutwig was one of three Ramblers to score in double figures, tallying 19 points, to lead Loyola University Chicago (15-3, 10-1 MVC) to its eighth straight victory, a 70-50 decision over Missouri State, (9-5, 5-5 MVC) tonight at JQH Arena. Loyola's 15-3 start is its best through 18 games since going 16-2 to open the 1965-66 season.
 
Coach Moser's Thoughts
"I thought that Cameron Krutwig was so good this whole weekend at both ends of the floor and really solidified himself. It's was the best back-to-back defensive games he's had. Our seniors really got us out of the gates both nights with their toughness."
 
How It Happened
Once again, Loyola got off to a quick start and came out firing on all cylinders. In sprinting out to a 14-2 lead at the first media timeout, the Ramblers scored the game's first 11 points and knocked down four three-point field goals, two each coming from Lucas Williamson and Keith Clemons.
 
Missouri State made a run and shrunk the deficit to 20-16 but Aher Uguak scored six points in Loyola's ensuing 15-4 spurt that pushed its lead back up to 35-20. Behind 68.2 percent (15-for-22) field goal shooting, including 75 percent (6-for-8) from three-point territory, the Ramblers took a 42-26 lead into the locker room at halftime.
 
Williamson and Cameron Krutwig had 11 points apiece in the opening stanza to pace a balanced attack that also saw Clemons score eight points and Uguak finish with six. Krutwig looked every bit the MVC Player of the Year candidate he is, adding four boards, five assists, two steals and a block in 16 first-half minutes.
 
After a Nic Tata dunk to open the second-half scoring, Loyola rattled off the next seven points, the final three coming on a triple from Braden Norris, to extend the Ramblers' edge to 49-28, its largest margin of the night to that point.
 
Loyola was never threatened again and would lead by as many as 22 points as it picked up its 10^thMissouri Valley Conference win, marking the first time in program history it has recorded 10 or more conference wins in four straight seasons.
 
A Look At The Numbers

• Nine of Loyola's 10 Valley wins this season have come by 10 or more points.
• In addition to his team-high 19 points, Krutwig added five rebounds, five assists and three steals. He has moved ahead of Carl Golston into sixth place on the school's career scoring chart with 1,642 points.
• Uguak contributed 12 points and Williamson tossed in 11 points, while playing lockdown defense.
• Loyola shot 60.5 percent (26-for-43) for the game and held Missouri State to 0-for-12 accuracy from three-point range.
• The Ramblers' defense was sensational again, holding Gaige Prim to four points and only three field goal attempts, and Isiaih Mosley to 16 points on 5-for-12 shooting.

 
Up Next
Loyola finally returns to Gentile Arena this weekend when it hosts Evansville, February 6 and 7. Both games start at 1 p.m. and will be televised on NBC Sports Chicago.