Busting Brackets
Fansided

Missouri Valley Basketball: Plenty of revenge from last week’s matchups

By Harry Schroeder

Jan 25, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Loyola (Il) Ramblers guard Keith Clemons (5) after scoring a three point basket against Southern Illinois Salukis during the first half at Joseph J. Gentile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Loyola (Il) Ramblers guard Keith Clemons (5) after scoring a three point basket against Southern Illinois Salukis during the first half at Joseph J. Gentile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Loyola (Il) Ramblers head coach Drew Valentine David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Loyola (Il) Ramblers head coach Drew Valentine David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

Loyola-Chicago gets payback against Missouri Staet

When Missouri State snapped the Ramblers’ long, home winning streak they made life miserable for Rambler shooters and Isiaih Mosley was unstoppable. Loyola prides itself on efficient offense, shut down defense, and a culture that doesn’t allow them to be overwhelmed in tight games.

Missouri State blew open a tight game and the Ramblers couldn’t recover. They allowed an uncharacteristic 44, second-half points and lost the home contest 79-69. Led by Mosley the Bears shot over 53 percent for the game and LUC converted less than 27% from deep.

With the Drake loss, a win by MSU would mean a virtual, four-way tie at the top of the Missouri Valley Conference. If Loyola could exact revenge, they would take over sole possession of first place and kick the Bears to fourth.

Rambler players and coaches were humbled by Mosley’s 40-point performance and had a plan to exact revenge on the Valley’s leading scorer. A spread-out three-two zone combined with some tenacious man-to-man defense forced Mosley into a four for 14 shooting night that included no three-pointers.

This time it was Loyola blowing open a tight game with a 43-point second half. Lucas Williamson who coach Drew Valentine calls the best defender in the nation led LUC with 19 points, four rebounds, and five assists. Valentine rotated three centers at Prim who scored 17 first-half points, but wore down in the second stanza, scoring just four more points.

Valentine says he challenged his bigs to slow down the Valley’s best center. Tom Welch, starter Chris Knight, and Jacob Hutson all took their turns trying to hinder Prim. Missouri State coach Dana Ford said they did wear down his outstanding forward. Prim achieved the 21st 20-point game in his career and his league-leading ninth double-double.

LUC’s Valentine thought Welch gave his team a second-half spark. Welch came into the game averaging 2.6 points per game and scored eight, including a late-game, momentum-changing three-pointer.

Valentine said the zone and a changing defense was key.

"“Our game plan last time didn’t work,” said Valentine. “Missouri State is so tough. They are so dynamic, that is not an easy team to beat and this isn’t an easy place to win.”"

Revenge is sweet for the Ramblers.