CHICAGO (Jan. 3, 2023) – Loyola University Chicago (6-8, 1-0 A-10) opens the new year tomorrow night with the first of two home games this week at Gentile Arena. Seeking a fourth straight win, the Ramblers will host Richmond (10-4, 0-1 A-10) at 6 p.m. CT Wednesday night on ESPN+, marking the first conference home game for Loyola as an Atlantic 10 member. Loyola is aiming for its first 2-0 start to league play since the 2015-16 season.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Loyola opened league play with an impressive 13-point road victory (60-47) over Saint Louis last Wednesday. The Ramblers overcame an early 8-0 deficit and never trailed after the three-minute mark in the second quarter. The Ramblers utilized a key 12-4 run in the third quarter, ignited by a conventional three-point play from Sophia Nolan, to take control of the contest. Loyola held the Billikens to 23.8% shooting – the lowest mark by an opponent this season. Each opponent during the current three-game win streak has been held to 15 made field goals and under 50 points. For the second time this season, Loyola held an opponent without a made 3-pointer as SLU went 0-15. It's the first time in at least 14 years that the Ramblers held an opponent to zero made 3-pointers twice in a season. The Ramblers previously held Virginia to 0-for-10 shooting in a six-point home loss back on on Nov. 16. Loyola shot 43.4% (23-53) overall, led by Maya Chandler and Sam Galanopoulos with 15 points, each. Sitori Tanin and Kira Chivers both reached double digits with 10 points. The Ramblers went 9 for 12 (75%) at the free throw line, where they rank 11th in the nation (79.1%).
 
SERIES STUFF
Wednesday's matchup is the first meeting between Loyola and Richmond on the hardwood. In total, Loyola's 2022-23 schedule features 15 first-time opponents. Prior to this season, the Ramblers have only previously played against three of its 14 conference opponents including Dayton, La Salle and Saint Louis. Loyola carries a record of 28-21 against those three programs and a 13-10 mark at home. The Ramblers have already played against four first-time opponents this season (3-1) featuring Virginia, Saint Francis (PA), Elon and Idaho State.
 
SCOUTING RICHMOND
Richmond saw its four-game win streak snapped on New Year's Eve after a narrow 65-63 home loss to George Washington in the league opener. Under fourth-year head coach Aaron Roussell, the Spiders rank second in the A-10 in scoring defense (60.0 ppg) and opponent three-point field goal percentage (27.8%) – Loyola leads the league at 26.1%. Richmond ranks fourth in scoring offense (69.3 ppg), led by Highland Park, Ill. native Addie Budnik, who leads the team in scoring (14.1 ppg) and rebounding (6.6 rpg). The Spiders are 4-1 on the road this season and 7-2 overall including neutral-site games.
 
UP NEXT
Loyola remains home this weekend and will play host to UMass on Saturday afternoon in a 2 p.m. CT tipoff on ESPN+.