CHICAGO (February 22, 2022) - Loyola heads into the final two games of the 2021-22 regular season in control of its own destiny, tied with Northern Iowa atop the Missouri Valley Conference standings. The Ramblers, who host Evansville Wednesday night in their final home game of the regular season, are looking for their fourth regular-season Valley crown in the last five seasons and should they finish in first place would become just the third team since the turn of the century to win four MVC championships over a five-year span, joining Southern Illinois (2001-02 through 2004-05) and Wichita State (2013-14 through 2016-17). 

The Ramblers are 40-4 (.909) in MVC play at Gentile Arena since the start of the 2017-18 season and have won 26 of their last 28 (.929) league games on their home floor, with the only two losses in that recent stretch coming in their last five contests in Rogers Park. 

Over the last six games versus Evansville, Loyola is averaging 72.5 points per game and shooting a scalding 57.5 percent (161-for-280) from the field and 46.1 percent (35-for-76) from three-point range. In the last four home games against the Purple Aces, the Ramblers are shooting a hearty 59.4 percent (107-for-180) from the field. On January 11, 2020, Loyola connected on 70.5 percent of its shots in a 78-44 win over Evansville.

Drew Valentine, the youngest coach in NCAA Division I basketball at 30 years of age, is the second skipper in program history to pilot Loyola to 20 wins in his first season on the job, joining Tom Haggerty, who guided the Ramblers to 23 victories in 1945-46.

Loyola – Evansville – The Series

Wednesday's game will be the 55th meeting between Loyola and Evansville in a series that started in 1979. The Ramblers trail the all-time series, 28-26, but have captured eight of the last nine matchups, including each of the last six.

Loyola has won six in a row versus Evansville at Gentile Arena since a 74-73 heartbreaker on February 14, 2016, and is 14-11 all time against the Purple Aces when playing on its home floor in Chicago. Last season, the Ramblers claimed both games of the season series in the Windy City, winning 68-55 on February 6, before securing a 69-58 decision the next day.

At the Ford Center in Evansville last month, Loyola shot 72 percent (18-for-25) in the second half, while limiting the Aces to 7-for-24 shooting (.292) in the period to roll to a 77-48 victory. Lucas Williamson had 15 points to pace the Ramblers' attack.

Scouting Evansville

Evansville has fallen in eight of its last nine contests and carries a five-game losing skid into Wednesday's game. Four of the Purple Aces' last eight setbacks have come by seven or fewer points.

Head coach Todd Lickliter's squad has won just two of its 12 true road games this season and has dropped three straight away from home, including a 74-69 decision at Valparaiso Monday night. 

Senior guard Shamar Givance leads Evansville with 14.0 points, 3.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game, while also collecting 4.1 rpg. His classmate, guard Jawaun Newton, who has missed the last six games due to injury, is tallying 13.3 ppg. The Aces rank last in The Valley in scoring offense (59.5), field goal percentage (.399) and three-point field goal percentage (.324).

Up Next

Loyola closes out the 2021-22 regular season Saturday (Feb. 26) when it travels to Northern Iowa. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT and the game will be televised live on ESPNU.