CHICAGO (March 2, 2022) – Currently in the midst of its longest win streak in conference play since 2012-13, Loyola University Chicago (17-10, 9-7 MVC) returns to Gentile Arena for the final time in 2021-22 this week, welcoming Southern Illinois and Missouri State to Rogers Park.  The Ramblers and Salukis will battle at 6 p.m. on Thursday evening before the Lady Bears arrive on Saturday afternoon for a 1 p.m. tilt.  Loyola will honor its senior class prior to tip-off against Missouri State.

This week's matchups carry major seeding implications for the upcoming Missouri Valley Conference Championship, a tournament in which Loyola can be seeded anywhere from fifth through seventh.  With a victory in one of its final two games, or a lone loss by Valparaiso or Drake, the Ramblers can secure an opening-round bye in the event.

LAST TIME OUT
Powered by a game-high 20 points from Maya Chandler, Loyola used a dominant effort in the fourth quarter to create separation as it downed Valparaiso, 66-52, last Friday at the Athletics-Recreation Center.  Allison Day chipped in 11 points for the Ramblers, who held an opponent below 40 percent from the field for the 18th time in 2021-22.

LOYOLA/SOUTHERN ILLINOIS – THE SERIES
Winners of three of its previous five meetings with Southern Illinois, Loyola has trimmed the Salukis lead in the all-time series to 12-10 (.545).  The Ramblers have won each of the last three matchups between the two in-state foes inside Gentile Arena, highlighted by a season sweep of Southern Illinois during the 2020-21 campaign.

When the two teams battled back on January 2 at Banterra Center, Day scored a team-high 18 points, but Loyola shot just 31 percent during the second half as Southern Illinois pulled away for a 63-50 victory.  Makenzie Silvey paced the Salukis on the afternoon, pouring in 20 points to lead all scorers.

LOYOLA/MISSOURI STATE – THE SERIES
Missouri State has rattled off 17 straight wins over Loyola to open up a commanding 18-3 (.857) lead over the course of 21 meetings between the two teams.  The Ramblers' lone victory over the Lady Bears since joining The Valley came on January 12, 2014, a 63-61 triumph.

Loyola will be looking to avenge a 55-38 setback to the Bears from back on December 31, a matchup in which the Ramblers were limited to just 24 percent shooting.  Trinity Clinton led the Maroon & Gold in the defeat, putting up nine points in her collegiate debut.

ATTACK DOGS
Picked eighth in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll, Southern Illinois has enjoyed a storybook 2021-22 season under the guidance of head coach Cindy Stein, who is in her ninth and final season at the head of the Saluki bench.

Wins over Indiana State, 63-46, and Evansville, 80-66, last weekend saw Southern Illinois run its record to 19-7 overall and 14-2 in Valley play.  The Salukis can clinch no worse than a share of the MVC regular season title with a victory in one of their final two games.

Abby Brockmeyer finds herself in the midst of a dominant final season in Carbondale, Ill., averaging 16.3 points and 10.2 rebounds, with the latter mark leading the MVC.  Silvey has been equally as impressive on the offensive end of the floor, putting up 16.2 points per game while also leading the team in assists (3.3 apg).  Gabby Walker is also a force in the paint, adding 12.4 ppg in addition to 6.2 rebounds per contest.

DON'T SLEEP ON THESE BEARS
Despite losing 2020-21 All-Valley picks Jasmine Franklin and Abby Hipp to season-ending injuries, Missouri State hasn't missed a beat this season, as it enters the week at 22-5 overall and 13-3 in MVC play, just a game back of Southern Illinois for the top spot in the conference standings.

Like the Salukis, the Lady Bears, who battle Valparaiso on Thursday, swept Evansville, 99-57, and Indiana State, 72-65, last weekend.

Back-to-back MVC Coach of the Year Amaka Agugua-Hamilton team boasts one of the nation's top defenses, ranking in the top 50 nationally in scoring defense (11th; 53.6 ppg), blocked shots (19th; 5.0 bpg), and field goal percentage defense (31st; 36.1%).  On the offensive end of the floor, Abigayle Jackson has stepped into the void left by the injuries to Franklin and Hipp, averaging 13.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks, all marks which lead active Lady Bear players.  Reigning Valley Player of the Year Brice Calip has put together another impressive body of work, contributing 11.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, and 2.2 steals per game.  Sydney Wilson has also been a factor, putting in 11.1 points per contest.

UP NEXT
Following this week's matchups with the Salukis and Lady Bears, Loyola will head to Moline, Ill. for the 2022 Missouri Valley Conference Championship.  The Ramblers will open play at TaxSlayer Center on either Thursday, March 10 or Friday, March 11.