CHICAGO (January 9, 2022) - Off to its best start through 13 games (11-2) since winning 11 of its first 13 games in 2014-15, Loyola closes out a brief, two-game homestand Tuesday night when Valparaiso pays a visit to Gentile Arena. A victory over the Beacons would give the Ramblers their best record through 14 contests since 1965-66 (13-1).

Loyola has won 29 straight games at Gentile Arena, the fifth-longest, active streak in the nation. The Ramblers have also captured 22 straight Missouri Valley Conference home games since a 65-61 loss to Missouri State on February 17, 2019.

Since the start of the 2017-18 campaign, Loyola has dominated Valley play, posting a 58-16 (.784) record in league competition and winning three regular-season titles. During that same period, the Ramblers have established quite a home-court advantage, going an incredible 36-2 (.947) in conference action at Gentile Arena.

Dating back to last season, the Ramblers are 30-4 (.882) in their last 34 games. Three of those losses came to power conference foes and the other was a one-point overtime loss at Drake, which was a NCAA Tournament team in 2020-21. Loyola's two setbacks this season came at the hands of current Top 10 teams, Michigan State and Auburn.

Since the start of the 1992-93 season, Loyola has posted winning streaks of eight or more games just three times - 8 (2020-21), 11 (2020-21) and 14 (2017-18). A win against Valpo on Tuesday would extend the Ramblers' current win streak to eight.

Loyola – Valparaiso – The Series

Loyola possesses a commanding 43-16 advantage in an all-time series with Valparaiso that began a century ago, in 1922, nearly 100 years ago to the day (Jan. 13, 1922). The Ramblers have controlled the recent history, winning nine of the last 10 matchups, including each of the last two.

Loyola is 21-8 against Valpo when playing on its home floor in Chicago and has won four straight at Gentile Arena since an 85-76 setback on February 19, 2013.

Last season, the Ramblers swept the season series, drilling the Beacons, 75-39, in Valparaiso, before squeaking out a 54-52 decision in Rogers Park. Keith Clemons scored a team-high 16 points to lead Loyola to the win in Chicago last February.

Scouting Valparaiso

Valparaiso has fallen in each of its last two contests after winning its previous three contests. Three of the Beacons' eight setbacks this season have been by three or fewer points. 

In true road games this season, Valpo is just 1-3 overall and dating back to last year, the Beacons are just 2-7 in their last nine Valley games on enemy hardwood.

Valpo leads the MVC in steals (7.4) and ranks second to Loyola in assists per game (14.4).

Sixth-year head coach Matt Lottich's squad features six players who are averaging double digits in scoring, led by senior guard Kobe King, a transfer from Wisconsin, who is putting up 15.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.

Ben Krikke, who like Loyola's Aher Uguak, hails from Edmonton, Alberta, is off to a great start and provides Valpo with 14.9 ppg and 3.3 rpg, while shooting 55.2 percent (79-for-143) from the field.

Up Next

Loyola begins a two-game road swing January 15 when it travels to Indiana State.