CHICAGO (March 11, 2021) – Fresh off a thrilling win on Friday night, sixth-seeded Loyola University Chicago (11-12, 8-10 MVC) is in search of another upset on Saturday when it battles second-seeded Drake with a spot in the MVC Championship title game on the line. Tip-off from inside TaxSlayer Center in Moline, Ill. is scheduled for 4 p.m.
The Ramblers are making their first appearance in the semifinals of the MVC Championship since joining The Valley prior to the start of the 2013-14 academic year. Loyola's last trip to the semifinals of a conference tournament occurred during the 2012-13 campaign, when the Maroon & Gold advanced to the championship game of the Horizon League Tournament.
LAST TIME OUT
Maya Chandler split two free throws with just one second remaining as Loyola earned a thrilling 61-60 win over third-seeded Illinois State in the quarterfinals of the MVC Championship on Friday night.
Allison Day led the Maroon & Gold in the win, erupting for a career-high 23 points.
Sam Galanopoulos also reached double figures, adding 11 points.
LOYOLA/DRAKE – THE SERIES
Loyola and Drake have met 22 times prior to Saturday's semifinal-round encounter. The Bulldogs hold a commanding 19-3 (.864) lead in the all-time series, prevailing in 15 straight matchups. Like Friday night's quarterfinal, Saturday will mark Loyola's first meeting with Drake in the postseason.
When the two teams met during the regular season at Gentile Arena, Drake got off to a red-hot start in the weekend series, shooting 80.8 percent as it rolled to a 75-46 win on February 5. Just 24 hours later, Ellie Rice scored a career-high 28 points as Loyola nearly erased an 18-point third-quarter deficit, ultimately falling to the Bulldogs by a final margin of 68-64.
BEWARE THE BITE OF THIS DOG
Coming off a 71-60 win over seventh-seeded Valparaiso in Friday's third quarterfinal, Drake currently sits at 16-10 overall. The Bulldogs, who were voted fourth in the MVC Preseason Poll, finished 13-5 in Valley play to finish back of only Missouri State in the conference standings.
Head coach Jennie Baranczyk's team boasts the top offensive attack in the Missouri Valley Conference, averaging 76.8 points per game. Leading the attack is reigning MVC Newcomer of the Year Grace Berg, who averages a team-high 16.2 points in addition to 4.2 rebounds. Honorable Mention All-MVC pick Kierra Collier adds 11.6 ppg and a team-best 4.1 assists, while First Team All-MVC honoree Maddie Monahan chips in 11.5 ppg.
UP NEXT
With a victory over Drake, Loyola would advance to the MVC Championship title game on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m., where it would face the winner of Saturday's first semifinal featuring top-seeded Missouri State and fifth-seeded Bradley.
