Loyola (0-1) vs. Western Michigan (1-1)
November 15, 2017 | 7 p.m. CT
Gentile Arena | Chicago, Ill.
TV: The Valley on ESPN3 | Live Stats | Loyola Game Notes | Western Michigan Game Notes

Opening Tip
- Loyola opens the home portion of its 2017-18 schedule on Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. as it takes on visiting Western Michigan.
- The Ramblers will be looking to bounce back from a season-opening 79-70 road defeat at the hands of Fort Wayne this past Sunday.  Kailyn Strawbridge poured in a game-high 32 points, the most by a freshman nationally, to lead the Maroon & Gold, while fellow freshman Ellie Rice added 20 points.
- Head coach Kate Achter is in her second year at the head of the Loyola bench this season. Achter was named the ninth head coach in program history on July 19, 2016. .
- Achter returns an experienced group of six letterwinners from last season, including the three of the team's four leading scorers.
- The Maroon & Gold's ranks will be bolstered by the addition of six newcomers. Five freshmen are set to make their respective collegiate debuts this season, including in-state products Kat Nolan and Kailyn Strawbridge.  Graduate transfer Jessica Cerda will also look to provide depth for Achter's team.
-  When the NCAA released the latest Graduation Success Rate (GSR) data earlier this week, Loyola was tied with five other schools, including four Ivy League members, for the No. 1 spot in the nation at 99 percent. This marks the second straight year that Loyola has shared the top GSR position among NCAA Division I institutions.
 
Loyola – Western Michigan - The Series
- Wednesday's home opener will mark the eighth meeting between Loyola and Western Michigan on the hardwood in women's basketball.
- In last season's meeting between the two teams in Kalamazoo, Mich., Loyola chipped a double-figure second-half deficit down to only seven points before ultimately falling to the Broncos by a final score of 65-53. Breanna Mobley led the way for Western Michigan in the win with 12 points and 16 rebounds.
- Wednesday's meeting with the Broncos will be the first of two this season against a Mid-American Conference (MAC) opponent for the Ramblers, who will also take on in-state foe Northern Illinois on Dec. 6.
 
Bucking Broncos
- Western Michigan split a pair of games as part of a season-opening road trip through the state of New Mexico last weekend.
- The Broncos dropped an 88-76 decision to New Mexico on Friday evening before bouncing back to down Western Athletic Conference (WAC) favorite New Mexico State by a final score of 64-55 two days later.
- Breanna Mobley is currently averaging a double-double (15.5 ppg, 10.5 rpg) to lead the Western Michigan attack, while both Marley Hill (13.0 ppg) and Deja Wimby (11.0 ppg) also average in double figures in scoring.

Up Next
Loyola wraps up a two-game homestand this Saturday (Nov. 18) when it entertains former Horizon League rival Youngstown State at 1 p.m.