Missouri State is back home for two Missouri Valley Conference games this weekend, hosting Valparaiso at 7 p.m. Friday and Loyola at 2 p.m. Sunday.
   The Lady Bears are now 9-8 overall and off to a 5-1 MVC start for the first time since 2011. MSU has won at least five of their first six MVC games 10 previous times, going on to seven regular-season titles and three second-place finishes in those seasons.
   Valpo is 9-7 overall and 2-3 in league games, and ranks second in the MVC in scoring at 68.6 points per contest, less than a point ahead of MSU. Loyola is 3-13 overall and 1-4 in the Valley.
   Fans are invited to stay after Friday's game to have posters signed by the Lady Bears in the Price Cutter Concourse.
   Sunday is the annual We Back Pat game, and donations to the Pat Summitt Foundation to help find a cure for Alzheimer's disease will be accepted outside the Prime Overtime Club. There will also be a silent auction for Summitt memorabilia. Fans are encouraged to wear purple to support the cause.
Series Histories
Friday is the first meeting in women's basketball between MSU and Valpo.
    Missouri State is 7-3 all-time against Loyola with a 4-0 mark in Springfield. The Lady Bears are 7-1 against the Ramblers since LUC joined the league.
Scouting Valpo
Valpo is 9-7 overall and 2-3 in MVC play with league wins against Loyola and Illinois State. Dani Franklin leads the MVC in scoring at 16.6 points to go along with 5.4 rebounds per game, and Nicole Konieczny ranks second in the league with 63 assists. The Crusaders average 68.6 points and allow 69.4, shooting 40.5 percent overall, 35.8 percent from long range and 76.9 percent from the foul line.
Scouting Loyola
Loyola is 3-13 overall and 1-4 in Valley games with a win over Illinois State. Freshman Abby O'Connor leads the Ramblers in scoring (10.6) and rebounding (5.5), and LUC averages just 50.9 points per game compared to 68.7 for opponents. Loyola shoots 35.9 percent overall, 27.6 percent from beyond the arc and 72.6 percent at the foul line.
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