EVANSVILLE, Ind. – It will be a huge night downtown with the Purple Aces welcoming defending Final Four participant Loyola to the Ford Center. 
 
The Ramblers stand at 9-6 overall and 2-0 in their first two Missouri Valley Conference games.  They are shooting an astounding 50.5% on the season, but the Aces are up to the challenge
 
"It will be a big challenge for us.  They have had great success and have players who have a ton of experience," head coach Walter McCarty said.  "Their guys are playing really well.  For us, we are trying to find ourselves and trying to get guys to understand what we are trying to do here."
 
"We are looking forward to the game, it should be a fun one for our city and community."
 
Evansville has seen its defense step up, especially over the last six games.  In that span, UE has held each opponent to under 40.3% from the field.  For the season, the Aces have jumped to third in the MVC in shooting defense, allowing the opposition to shoot 41.7%.
 
Those numbers have been even better in league play with UE holding Drake and Illinois State to just 37.3% overall and 9-of-44 (20.5%) from long range.  Taking on the top offensive team in the league tonight, the Aces will look to continue their defensive prowess.
 
"They (Loyola) do not beat themselves, you are going to have to beat them.  They also do a good job of keeping you out of the paint and making you take long, contested two's," McCarty explained.  "We have to do a good job of getting them to move and spread out.  Against a team like Loyola, you have to be able to make shots to beat them."
 
Marty Hill has been doing a nice job of taking his offensive game to the next level.  Averaging 9 field goal attempts on the season, Hill has taken a total of 31 shots in the last two games.  Included in that was a career game of 24 points in the win over Drake.
 
Tickets are still available for tonight's contest with a 7 p.m. tip inside the Ford Center.
 

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