UE looks to end 2-game skid
Following a quick break for Christmas, the University of Evansville men’s basketball team returns to action on Saturday with a 3 p.m. game at Loyola. It will mark the second conference game for the Purple Aces, who fell in their league opener against Illinois State by a final of 72-66.
After missing seven games due to injury, Ryan Taylor was back in action against the Redbirds. Taylor picked right up where he left off, scoring 22 points while taking a career-high 22 shots; it was a solid improvement for the junior against Illinois State as he notched 8 PPG against them in three games last year. It marked his 5th 20-point game of the season; he had six such games last season. With 21.4 points per game, Taylor would lead the MVC with enough games played.
Coming off the bench in the league opener, senior Dalen Traore set his career scoring mark with 11 points. He did his work at the free throw line, connecting on 9 out of 10 attempts. Traore is a solid 28/34 from the free throw line on the season, ranking in the top ten in the MVC draining 82.4% of his tries.
Evansville has enjoyed success in the series against the Ramblers, winning 27 out of 45 games overall and four of the last five games played. Last season, the squads split the series with each team defending its home court. UE hung on for a 60-58 win at the Ford Center while Loyola grabbed a 67-61 win at Gentile Arena.
Loyola is off to a 10-3 start on the season including a huge non-conference win at Florida on Dec. 6. Four Ramblers average double figures led by Aundre Jackson. Jackson averages 12.9 PPG while shooting 61% from the floor. Clayton Custer sits at 12.5 points while Marques Townes averages 12.1. Donte Ingram has notched 11.9 points while leading the way with 7.1 rebounds per contest.
