CHICAGO (March 15, 2021) – Loyola University Chicago (11-13, 8-10 MVC) will open play in the 2021 Women's Basketball Invitational (WBI) on Friday when it battles Longwood in a quarterfinal-round clash.  Tip-off between the Ramblers and Lancers is set for 1:30 p.m. (CT) inside the William Exum Center in Frankfort, Kent.
 
Friday's matchup marks the first meeting between Loyola and Longwood, a member of the Big South Conference.  The Ramblers have only faced one current member from the league, dropping a 70-63 decision to High Point back on November 18, 2000.
 
Like Loyola, Longwood will be making its first postseason appearance.  Third-year head coach Rebecca Tillett's team enjoyed an impressive 2020-21 campaign, going 14-11 overall and 12-6 in Big South play en route to a third-place finish.  The Lancers set multiple program records, including overall winning percentage (.560) and Big South victories (12).
 
Leading the attack for Longwood is the pairing of Kyla McMakin and Akila Smith, both First Team All-Big South selections.  McMakin averages a team-high 17.9 points, while Smith, who was also named the Big South's Defensive Player of the Year, puts up 15.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per game, a mark that ranks third in Division I.
 
A full listing of the quarterfinal-round pairings for the 2021 WBI follows.
 
2021 WBI Quarterfinals Schedule (March 19, 2021)
11 a.m. – Cleveland State vs. Manhattan
1:30 p.m. – Loyola vs. Longwood
4 p.m. – Portland vs. Abilene Christian
6:30 p.m. – Florida International vs. Northern Arizona