CHICAGO (February 4, 2022) - Fresh off its 23rd consecutive victory versus a team from the state of Illinois, Loyola looks to earn a split in the season series when it travels to Missouri State for a Sunday matinee. The Bears snapped the Ramblers' 30-game, home-court win streak with a 79-69 decision on January 22.

Loyola has prevailed in 12 of its last 14 true road games, with both losses in that stretch coming at Drake.

The Ramblers have struggled at JQH Arena, but last season they snapped a four-game losing skid there by sweeping a two-game series. Loyola shot a whopping 56.3 percent (54-for-96) from the field and 41.7 percent (10-for-24) from long distance in two meetings with Missouri State in Springfield, Mo., in 2020-21.

Graduate student Lucas Williamson was named to the 10-person Watch List for the 2002 Julius Erving Award, which is presented to the top small forward in the nation. Williamson enters Sunday's game ranked third on the Ramblers' all-time list with 199 three-point field goals made.

Finishing strong has been a staple of recent Rambler squads heading into the month of March. In 2020-21, Loyola had won 14 of its previous 15 contests heading into March, while going 6-1 in its final seven contests prior to Arch Madness in 2019-20, 3-1 in the final four outings of 2018-19 and 14-1 again in 2017-18 heading into postseason play.

Loyola – Missouri State – The Series

Loyola and Missouri State are hooking up for the 19th time in a series that started in 1964. The Ramblers hold a 10-8 edge in the series and have won three of the last five meetings with the Bears.

Last season, the Ramblers won both contests in the series in Springfield to improve to 4-5 all time at JQH Arena. Prior to last year's wins, Loyola had not prevailed at JQH Arena since a 75-62 decision there on February 21, 2016.

The Ramblers completely dominated both games in 2020-21, winning each contest by at least 20 points. Just two weeks ago at Gentile Arena, Missouri State connected on 53.8 percent (28-for-52) of its attempts from the field and received 40 points from Isiaih Mosley to earn a 79-69 victory. Braden Norris scored a team-high 16 points for Loyola.

Scouting Missouri State

Missouri State boasts the highest-scoring offense in the Missouri Valley Conference, averaging 78.1 points per game and the Bears have emerged victorious in six of their last seven, and 13 of their last 16, contests.

The Bears are 9-3 on their home floor this season and have won four of their five Valley contests at JQH Arena, with the lone league setback coming to Northern Iowa (85-84) on January 8. 

Junior Isiaih Mosley is one of the most dynamic guards in the country and enters the weekend as the league's leading scorer with 21.0 ppg, while also pitching in 5.8 rpg and 2.1 apg, and connecting on 45.8 percent (54-for-118) of his triples. Senior forward Gaige Prim provides Dana Ford's club with 14.5 ppg, 7.8 rpg and 1.3 bpg.

Up Next

The Ramblers conclude the season series with Bradley on February 9 when they make the trip to Peoria, Ill., Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. CT on CBS Sports Network.