CHICAGO (February 10, 2021) –  After splitting a four-game homestand over the last two weekends, Loyola University Chicago (7-6, 5-4 MVC) opens up a four-game road trip when it battles Evansville in a two-game set at Meeks Family Fieldhouse this weekend.  The Ramblers and Purple Aces will meet at 6 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday. 

With a pair of wins this weekend, Loyola can exceed its MVC win total from each of the past two seasons and post its highest win mark in Valley play since the 2015-16 season.

LAST TIME OUT
Loyola dropped a pair of games to Drake last weekend at Gentile Arena, falling by a 75-46 margin on Friday night before nearly erasing an 18-point second-half deficit in a 68-64 setback just 24 hours later.  Ellie Rice poured in a career-high 28 points in the weekend finale against the Bulldogs, as she averaged 18.5 points across the two matchups.  Sitori Tanin also impressed, contributing 10.5 points per game during the weekend series.

LOYOLA/EVANSVILLE – THE SERIES
Former founding members of the Horizon League, then known as the Midwestern City Conference, Loyola and Evansville have met 39 times in a series that dates back to a 68-67 Rambler victory back on February 19, 1983 inside Roberts Stadium.  After dropping the first three meetings between the two schools as MVC rivals, Loyola has dominated the series of late, winning seven straight and 13 of the last 15 matchups to open up a 27-12 (.692) lead in the all-time series.

Loyola picked up a pair of double-digit wins over Evansville last season, picking up a 71-61 win on January 10, 2020 at Meeks Family Fieldhouse before cruising to a 77-47 victory in the return matchup on February 8, 2020 in Rogers Park.  Allison Day posted a double-double (16 points, 10 rebounds) in the Ramblers' road triumph, while Tiara Wallace poured in a career-high 26 points in the Maroon & Gold's emphatic showing at Gentile Arena.

PLAYING CARDS
Evansville sits at 5-9 overall and 1-8 in MVC play as it enters its weekend series with Loyola.  The Purple Aces, who saw last weekend's scheduled two-game set with UNI postponed due to positive COVID-19 tests, snapped a 28-game Valley slide in their most recent action, battling to a 70-63 overtime win against in-state rival Indiana State on January 27 at Meeks Family Fieldhouse.

Fifth-year head coach Matt Ruffing's team is led by reigning MVC Freshman of the Year Abby Feit.  Feit averages team-high marks in multiple categories, ranking in the top five in the MVC in scoring (5th; 15.1 ppg), rebounding (2nd; 7.7 rpg), and blocks (2nd; 1.9 bpg).  A'Niah Griffin also averages in double figures in scoring for the Purple Aces, chipping in 10.2 points per game.

UP NEXT
Loyola stays on the road next weekend as it heads west to Cedar Falls, Iowa to battle UNI, February 19-20.  Friday's tilt with the Panthers is set for a 6 p.m. tip-off inside the McLeod Center, with Saturday's matchup slated for 4 p.m.