Valparaiso Beacons at Loyola Chicago Ramblers

No. 25 Loyola Chicago hangs on to beat Valpo, 54-52

The Ramblers (19-4, 14-2 Missouri Valley Conference) have won 12 of 13 and extended their home winning streak to 20 games. Loyola lost its previous game, 51-50, in overtime at Drake on Sunday.

“That was a Valley pride game,” Loyola coach Porter Moser said. “Valpo just grinded it and they were ready to play. We have a tremendous amount of respect for Valpo. They're playing really well. It was just a grind-out defensive game.”

Zion Morgan had 15 points and Ben Krikke and Goodnews Kpegeol had 10 points apiece for Valparaiso(8-15, 5-9).

Loyola won the first meeting between the teams 75-39 on Jan. 20 at Valparaiso.

This was Valpo's third game against a ranked opponent this season, and the Crusaders fell to 1-2 in those matchups. Valpo beat then-No. 25 Drake 74-57 on Feb. 7, a day after losing to the Bulldogs.

“I was ready to enjoy another win against a Top-25 team,” Morgan said. “We know what we can do. Our play hasn't showed it, but we know we're one of the top teams in the conference.”

Lucas Williamson hit a 3-pointer with 3:33 remaining to give Loyola a 52-48 lead, its biggest to that point.

Krutwig hit a jump hook with 1:38 left to make it 54-48.

Kpegeol scored with 1:23 to play to trim the Valpo deficit to four, ending a scoreless stretch of 3:35.

Sheldon Edwards then came up with a steal and drove for a basket with 54.8 seconds remaining to make it 54-52.

Valpo got the ball back with 24.7 seconds to go after forcing a shot-clock violation. After two non-shooting fouls, Valpo inbounded the ball with 13.2 seconds left. Krikke missed a 16-footer and Kpegeol was called for a foul on the rebound with 1.1 seconds to go.

“We know every game is gonna be a battle,” Clemons said. “Everybody wants to knock off Loyola.”

Loyola got off to a slow start offensively. The Ramblers went scoreless for more than seven minutes and made just three of their first 15 field-goal attempts, including 1 for 6 on 3-pointers.

Valpo took its biggest lead, 29-20, on a 3-pointer by Donovan Clay 3-pointer with 1:18 left. Loyola, though, ended the half with back-to-back 3s by Williamson and Aher Uguak to pull within 29-26 at halftime.

BIG PICTURE

Valparaiso: The Crusaders are hoping to turn the season around. They have never beaten a ranked team on the road.

Loyola: Maintained first place in the conference heading into an eight-day break.

INSIDE FOCUS

UP NEXT

Valparaiso: At Southern Illinois for back-to-back games Sunday and Monday to complete a five-game road swing.

Loyola: Host Southern Illinois in back-to-back games on Feb. 26 and 27.

How can I watch Valparaiso vs. Loyola Chicago?

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