BALTIMORE (Interstat) — A pivotal Patriot League women’s basketball matchup awaits Wednesday night as Loyola Maryland hosts Lehigh at Reitz Arena, with both teams looking to break free from the .500 mark in conference play.

The Greyhounds (8-9, 3-3 Patriot) enter on a high note after a narrow 56-55 road victory over Boston University on Saturday, secured by a standout 21-point performance from Lex Therien. They will lean on the steady backcourt presence of Amandine Amorich, who is averaging 12.2 points over her last six games, including 15 points in the win at BU.

The visiting Mountain Hawks (8-8, 3-2) aim to rebound from a 68-64 home loss to Boston University on Jan. 14. Lehigh’s offense runs through guard Whitney Lind, who has been a consistent scorer. Lind is coming off a 15-point effort in that loss and poured in 18 points in a road win at Army on Dec. 31.

Both teams have found recent success through defense. Loyola has won three of its last four, holding opponents to an average of 49.3 points in those three victories. Lehigh, meanwhile, has limited foes to 57 points or fewer in three of its last five contests.

The game is the first of a regular-season series, with the rematch scheduled for Feb. 4 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. With the Patriot League standings tightly packed in mid-January, this contest offers crucial momentum. Loyola looks to protect its home court, where it is 5-3 this season, while Lehigh seeks its first true road win since Dec. 31.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. EST Wednesday at Reitz Arena.