CHICAGO (December 11, 2020) - After opening the 2020-21 season with a pair of blowout victories, Loyola plays its first road game of the year Sunday when it makes the short trip to face city rival and former conference foe, UIC. The Ramblers are seeking their first 3-0 start since the unforgettable season of 2017-18, when they won 32 games and reached the NCAA Final Four.

Under head coach Porter Moser, Loyola has started 2-0 on six occasions (2012-13, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2020-21). Since the outset of the 2019-20 campaign, the Ramblers have been a tough out in the month of December, winning seven of eight games in the final month of the year.

In its last two games versus UIC, both wins, Loyola is averaging 79.0 points per game and shooting a hearty 55.8 percent (63-for-113) from the field and 48.1 percent (13-for-27) from three-point territory.

Loyola - UIC – The Series

Longtime foes Loyola and UIC are meeting for the 57th time in a series that dates back to 1986. The Flames own a 31-25 advantage in the all-time series but the Ramblers have claimed eight of the last nine meetings, including each of the last seven.

When the teams last met, on December 1, 2018 at Credit Union 1 Arena, Clayton Custer, Cameron Krutwig and Marques Townes totaled 16 points apiece to power Loyola to a 73-64 victory.

The Ramblers, who are 7-18 against UIC on the Flames' home floor, have won three straight at Credit Union 1 Arena and have not dropped a game in the series since a heartbreaking 61-59 setback on January 16, 2013 on the Near West Side.

The teams have engaged in some epic battles over the years and since 2000, 18 of the 38 meetings have been decided by six points or less.

Scouting UIC

Under first-year head coach Luke Yaklich, UIC has won three of its first four contests. Three of the Flames' first four games have been decided by four points or less. UIC is 2-0 at Credit Union 1 Arena this season and in its most recent home game, throttled Valparaiso, 66-50, on December 1. The Flames saw their three-game win streak come to a halt last time out, when they fell at Ball State, 68-66, last Saturday.

On a roster loaded with newcomers, junior guard RayQuawndis Mitchell leads all scorers with 14.0 points per game and is connecting on 46.2 percent (12-for-26) of his triple attempts. Junior forward Braelen Bridges adds 13.0 ppg and 6.0 rpg.

Up Next

Loyola will take on Duquesne in Indianapolis on December 16. Tip-off is set for noon CT.