(St. Louis, MO) – Loyola Chicago turned the rare trick of winning the Missouri Valley Conference regular season title and the postseason tournament. For just the ninth time in the 28 seasons of Arch Madness in St. Louis, the regular season champion has brought home this weekend’s trophy.
Loyola (28-5) defeated Illinois State 65-49 to claim their first-ever MVC title.
The balanced Ramblers saw ten different players score points, with ‘Most Outstanding Player‘ Donte Ingram leading with 18 points. For the tournament, Ingram averaged 13 points and eight rebounds to lead the squad that saw just six double figure scoring performances during the three games of Arch Madness.
Valley ‘Player of the Year‘ Clayton Custer struggled with his shot the entire weekend at Scottrade Center, making just eight of 25 shots. His high school teammate Ben Richardson was named to the all-tournament team and Custer says winning the championship with his best friend means the world to him.
Richardson says they’ve been dreaming of this day since they were little guys shooting baskets in the driveway in Overland Park, Kansas.
Near the end of the game, the Ramblers began to celebrate. As often happens in a big win, the head coach began to sub for his starters and the fans and players began to celebrate. Then the final horn sounded and the celebration ensued.
Moser, who won an MVC Tournament title as a player at Creighton, says it is more fun to win a title as a player than as a coach, and that he’s happy because he knows what this will mean to the players for the rest of their lives.
Ingram is one of the first Chicago area players to sign with Loyola says he is excited to help change the culture and the reputation of Loyola basketball.
Loyola Chicago’s entry to the NCAA Tournament is its first since 1985.
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So far #MTE season has been good for @ValleyHoops teams. @DrakeBulldogsMB & @BradleyUMBB play for trophies on Sunday. Here is the @BustingBrackets review of yesterday's games and a preview of what's ahead.
