Basketball Game Preview: Loyola Cubs vs. Crespi Celts

The Loyola Cubs will face off against the Crespi Celts at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Loyola is coming into the game on a six-game losing streak.

On Saturday, Loyola was within striking distance but couldn't close the gap as they fell 62-57 to Artesia. The loss was a bit of a surprise, as the Cubs came into the match with a sizable advantage in MaxPreps' California basketball rankings (they are ranked 91st, while the Pioneers are ranked 412th).

Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Crespi). They simply couldn't be stopped on Friday as they easily beat Chaminade 96-62. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest victory the Celts have posted since November 27, 2024.

Crespi's win came from a few key players Loyola will need to keep an eye on. One of the most notable was Peyton White, who dropped a double-double on 18 points and 13 boards. The dominant performance gave him a new career-high in rebounds. Another player making a difference was Shaun Kowlessar, who went 7 for 13 en route to 18 points and five steals.

Crespi has been performing well recently as they've won ten of their last 12 contests, which provided a nice bump to their 17-6 record this season. The wins came thanks to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 71.6 points per game. As for Loyola, their loss dropped their record down to 16-9.

Loyola lost to Crespi at home by a decisive 54-39 margin when the teams last played back in January of 2024. Will Loyola have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the match for a full breakdown of the game, commentary, and other basketball content.