CHICAGO - After winning their last two at home, the Ramblers will take the next two games on the road. Loyola Chicago and Duquesne will meet for the first and only time this regular season. Tip-off between the Ramblers and Dukes is set for 5 p.m. CT.
Saturday's game can be watched on CBSSN with Carter Blackburn (PXP) and Pete Gillen (Analyst) and can be listened to Rambler Sports Network with
Scott Sudikoff (PXP) and Christian Thomas (Analyst).
RAMBLINGS
• The Ramblers are coming off their largest win against a conference opponent since joining the Atlantic 10. Loyola downed St. Bonaventure 77-53. It is also the fewest points Loyola has allowed an A-10 foe.
• It followed another record as the Ramblers held Saint Joseph's to just 29.1 percent from the field last weekend. It is the best field goal percentage defense against a league opponent over the three seasons.
• The two wins at home improved Loyola's home record to 12-1 this season. The Ramblers have won 19 of their last 20 in Gentile. They are also 6-1 when holding an opponent under 59 points.
• Four Ramblers scored double figures in the dominant win over St. Bona.
Des Watson led Loyola with 17 points (7-12 FG, 3-8 3PT). He added a career-high four steals.
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Miles Rubin stuffed the box score with 15 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and three blocks.
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Jayden Dawson (14) and
Sheldon Edwards Jr. (11) rounded out the double-digit efforts.
• Loyola posted 24 assists in the win and were led by
Jalen Quinn with six. Six other Ramblers recorded at least two. It marked the sixth game this year Loyola tallied at least 20 assists.
• Rubin is up to 124 career blocks, taking over sole possession of fourth in the career record books. The sophomore center needs 149 to move up a spot in Loyola history. His season total of 48 earns him ninth on the single-season list for his second consecutive season on the charts.
• Edwards Jr. drained three from three-point range against the Bonnies. He needs just eight more threes to land on the single-season top-10.
• Head coach
Drew Valentine is in his fourth season at the helm. He has compiled a 72-47 overall record as head coach.
SCOUTING DUQUESNE
The Dukes sit at 9-14 overall and 4-6 in A-10 play heading into the weekend. Currently on a five-game skid, Duquesne holds a 6-6 home record and is in a four-way tie for ninth in the A-10 standings. The Dukes are one of the lowest scoring teams in the league, averaging just 68.3 points per game, but they find success from three-point range, averaging third best in the league at 34.8 percent.
Tre Dinkins III leads the offense with 12.3 points per game, while shooting 40.4 percent from the field. He also has the most makes from deep at 56. Dinkins III is on an eight-game double-figure scoring streak. He dropped 27 points vs. Saint Joseph's on Jan. 29 after 26 against them back on Jan. 8.
Dru Joyce III is in his first season the helm with a 9-14 overall record.
SERIES HISTORY
Duquesne leads the all-time series, 12-7. Loyola took last season's lone meeting 72-67. Watson had 15 points in the win.