CHICAGO (February 23, 2022) – With the 2021-22 season entering its final weeks, Loyola University Chicago (16-10, 8-7 MVC) goes after a fifth consecutive victory on Friday evening when it makes the short trip east to battle Valparaiso. Tip-off from inside the Athletics-Recreation Center is scheduled for 6 p.m.
During their current four-game tear, the Ramblers' tenacious defense has been on full display, allowing opponents only 49.0 points per game while shooting just under 33 percent from the field. With a victory over the Beacons on Friday evening, Loyola will have its longest win streak in conference play since it rattled off seven straight wins during the 2012-13 season when it was a member of the Horizon League.
LAST TIME OUT
Loyola won a pair of nail-biters in its swing The Hoosier State last weekend, defeating Indiana State, 61-59, and Evansville, 60-56.
Bre Hampton-Bey scored a season-high tying 16 points in Friday's victory over the Sycamores, while
Allison Day erupted for 11 of her team-best 15 points in the fourth quarter of Sunday's weekend finale against the Purple Aces, a game in which the Maroon & Gold erased a seven-point second-half deficit en route to victory.
LOYOLA/VALPARAISO – THE SERIES
Loyola and Valparaiso will meet for the 34th time this evening in Northwest Indiana, a series in which the Beacons own a 25-8 (.758) lead in. After battling 12 times as members of the Horizon League between 2007-13, Valparaiso has won seven of the 10 matchups between the two teams since the Beacons' arrival in The Valley back in 2017.
Loyola cruised to a 62-48 win over Valparaiso back on January 28 at Gentile Arena, holding the Beacons to just 30 percent (15-for-49) shooting in the victory. Hampton-Bey put up a team-high 14 points to pace the Ramblers, while both Day and
Maya Chandler joined her in double figures, adding 13 points apiece.
SHINING LIGHT
Like Loyola, Valparaiso (10-16, 8-7 MVC) appears to be rounding into form as the season hits its homestretch, having won three of its last four games.
The Beacons are also picked up a pair of road victories last week, escaping Evansville with a 75-70 overtime win on Friday night ahead of a 74-69 Sunday afternoon triumph over Indiana State.
Headlining the attack for head coach Mary Evans is 2020-21 First Team All-MVC honoree Shay Frederick, who leads the team in scoring (12.0 ppg) and averages a Valley-best 4.9 assists per game. Just behind Frederick on the Beacons' scoring chart is Grace White, who has knocked down a team-high 43 three-point field goals en route to putting up 11.7 points per contest in addition to serving as Valparaiso's leader in both rebounding (6.2 rpg) and steals (2.3 spg). Carie Weinman rounds out a trio of Beacons to average in double figures, chipping in 11.6 ppg while operating at just shy of a 51-percent clip (84-for-165) from the field.
UP NEXT
Loyola closes out the 2021-22 regular season at home next weekend, welcoming Valley heavyweights Southern Illinois (March 3) and Missouri State (March 5) to Gentile Arena. Senior Day festivities will precede the Ramblers' matchup against the Lady Bears.
