CHICAGO (Interstat) — Loyola Chicago will open its women’s NCAA Division I basketball season Tuesday against Wright State at Joseph Gentile Center, with both teams entering at 0-0 and looking for an early statement in nonconference play.

The Ramblers will be the home team in a matchup that marks the first game of the season for both programs. Loyola Chicago’s most recent result was a 71-62 loss at George Washington. The Ramblers will try to use the Joseph Gentile Center crowd to set an early defensive tone and generate momentum before a demanding stretch of nonconference games. Loyola Chicago is scheduled to visit Green Bay before hosting Arkansas State and Milwaukee, then visiting Illinois State and Western Illinois. Later nonconference games include a home matchup with DePaul, a home game against Valparaiso, a home contest with Richmond, a trip to Iowa State and a home game against Illinois-Chicago. Those games will provide the Ramblers with a variety of styles and challenges as they build their rotation.

Wright State, nicknamed the Raiders, will be the visiting team as it also opens at 0-0. The Raiders’ most recent result was a 76-60 loss at Youngstown State. Wright State will look to compete on the road by applying pressure and creating scoring chances in transition. The Raiders’ upcoming schedule includes a home game against Ohio Christian, road games at Michigan and Indiana State, a home matchup with Marshall, road contests at Stetson and Bethune-Cookman, a home game against Detroit, a road game at Fort Wayne, a home contest with Wilmington (OH) and a home game against Canisius. That slate will test Wright State’s depth and ability to handle different defensive looks early in the season.

The matchup offers both teams a chance to establish an identity before the schedule accelerates. Loyola Chicago will aim to protect its home floor and limit second-chance opportunities. Wright State will seek to stay composed in a road environment and force turnovers that can lead to easy baskets. With both programs opening the season, execution in the closing minutes could prove decisive. The game is scheduled for Tuesday at the Joseph Gentile Center, and the programs will use the matchup as an early benchmark. Loyola Chicago will lean on its home setting and look to control the pace in the half court. Wright State will need to handle pressure, avoid prolonged scoring droughts and stay within reach late. The opener also gives both teams a chance to evaluate lineups and rotation combinations before the schedule becomes more crowded.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Loyola Chicago 59, Wright State 57.