CHICAGO - Loyola Chicago returns to Gentile Arena after a two-game road trip that ended with an OT thriller at Richmond. Loyola looks to build off the win against Saint Louis on Feb. 14. Tip-off between the Ramblers and Billikens is set for 6 p.m. CT.

Friday's game can be watched on ESPN2 with Mike Corey (PXP) and Dalen Cuff (Analyst) and can be listened to Rambler Sports Network with Scott Sudikoff (PXP) and Christian Thomas (Analyst).

RAMBLINGS
• The Ramblers shot their way to an 87-80 OT win at Richmond earlier this week. Loyola dropped a near-record 22 points in the five-minute OT period to beat the Spiders.
• Sheldon Edwards Jr. went 4-4 from three-point range in OT to help power the Ramblers to the win. He finished with 21 points on 7-16 from three. It marked the fourth 20-point outing for Edwards Jr. this season.
• Jayden Dawson led all-scorers with 24 points. He added six threes. It's his third time this year with at least 20 and a season-high.
• Des Watson added 19 points. He had just four before the end of regulation when he lit up for three straight threes and a jumper inside. Watson finished 7-14 from the field with three from deep.
• Miles Rubin crashed the glass for a game-high 10 boards, while Francis Nwaokorie added eight.
• The Ramblers combined for 18 made threes, which is the second most in a single-game in program history. The record is 21 set back in 2021-22.
• This marked the third time this season a pair of Ramblers scored at least 20 points each. Dawson and Edwards Jr. teamed up at La Salle, while Edwards Jr. and Rubin did it vs. Oakland in the Diamond Head Classic.
• Edwards Jr. moved up the single-season charts in three-pointers made. He's up to 70 makes this season, tying seventh. The record is 85 set back in 1984-85.
• The fifth-year guard is averaging 2.9 makes per game from the arc, ranking third in the league. He's tallied at least three in the last three games, and only had one game without a three-pointer made this season.
• Rubin's recorded at least two blocks in the last five games. He's averaging 2.2 blocks per game, ranking 17th in the country. He's up to 53 on the year for 14th in the NCAA.
• It marks the second consecutive season on the single-season records list. Rubin's 53 blocks currently ranks sixth. His career total (129) currently ranks fourth in the record book.
• Head coach Drew Valentine is in his fourth season at the helm. He has compiled a 73-48 overall record as head coach.

SCOUTING SAINT LOUIS
The Billikens are 14-11 overall and 7-5 in A-10 play heading into Friday night's clash. Saint Louis has dropped its last two games and face a 3-6 record on the road. The Billikens are coming of an overtime battle with the league leader George Mason where they fell 76-74. In conference play, SLU has the third best defense, allowing only 67.3 points per game.

Gibson Jimerson leads the Billikens with 17.0 points per game, ranking fifth in the A-10. He's been held below 10 points in the last two games but scored double-figures in the five prior. Back on Dec. 31, Jimerson dropped a season-high 33 points against Fordham. He went 11-14 from the field with five threes and was 6-8 at the line.

Josh Schertz is in his first season leading the Billikens and has compiled a 417-120 head coaching record over 17 seasons.

SERIES HISTORY
Loyola leads the all-time series, 26-24. The Ramblers won both games last season. In a 77-62 win at Gentile, Watson led Loyola's offense with 20 points and four assists.