ST. LOUIS - The top-seeded Loyola Ramblers claimed their first MVC Tournament title since 2018 and second overall as they knocked off second-seeded Drake 75-65 Sunday in the championship game of the MVC Tournament. Loyola claims the MVC automatic bid into the 2021 NCAA Tournament and will learn its first-round opponent on selection Sunday March 14. In winning its sixth game in a row and 18th in its last 19 outings, Loyola climbs to 24-4 on the season; beating Drake for the second time in three meetings this season. The Ramblers hiked their all-time series record to 22-14 against Drake in what was the first MVC tourney clash between the two schools. Loyola is 10-6 in its eighth MVC tourney and 2-0 in tourney title games. Coach Porter Moser is 186-140 in his 10^th season at Loyola and 291-241 in his 17^th year overall as a college head coach. This is his second MVC tourney title.

Drake falls to 25-4 on the season and to 21-42 in 43 MVC tournaments. Darian DeVries is 69-28 in his third year at Drake and overall as a college head coach.

FIRST HALF
The opening frame was a half of scoring runs from both clubs after two early ties. Loyola broke from a 7-5 deficit with a 10-0 surge that gave the Ramblers a 15-7 edge with 11:34 left in the half. Drake got back within 18-14 but the Ramblers took advantage of three straight steals for a 6-0 run and a 24-14 lead at the nine-minute mark. Drake came right back with a 10-0 run of its own capped by two treys from D.J. Wilkins and knotted the count at 24-24 with 6:05 to play. Loyola offset that effort with a 7-0 run for a 31-24 margin and hiked it to 34-26. Drake got five straight points from Tremell Murphy and Joseph Yesufu and almost drew even once again before Jacob Hutson hit a late goal to give Loyola its 36-31 halftime advantage.  Loyola’s lead was keyed by 63 percent field goal accuracy in the opening period.

SECOND HALF
The teams traded early baskets after the intermission break and Loyola then got a trey from Lucas Williamson and two-pointers from Keith Clemons and Cameron Krutwig in a 7-0 surge as the Ramblers opened their biggest margin at 48-35 with 14:45 to play. Loyola moved that edge to 16 at 53-37 by the 11:40 mark in a 12-2 run as Loyola had five made treys in as many tries since halftime. Drake answered with a 9-0 run keyed by two baskets from Murphy and closed back within 56-48 with 7:30 to play. A three-point play by Williamson and another trey from Norris shot Loyola back ahead by 13 at 65-52. Drake quickly eased back within 8 at 65-57. Krutwig answered with two free throws and a circle layup for a 69-59 edge as the game entered the final minute. Drake scored twice underneath to close within 71-65 with 30 seconds left but that was as close as the Bulldogs could get as the clock wound down

ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM
Cameron Krutwig, Loyola – Doug Elgin Award (Most Outstanding Player);
Braden Norris, Loyola
Joseph Yesufu, Drake
Tremell Murphy, Drake
Gaige Prim, Missouri State