Liz Repella scored 18 points and No. 11 West Virginia, with the highest preseason ranking in school history, opened up by beating Loyola, Md., 80-49 on Friday night.
Madina Ali added 17 points for the Mountaineers, who won their 12th straight home opener and school-record 20th consecutive home game dating to the end of the 2008-09 season.
West Virginia played without injured guard Sarah Miles, who had wrist surgery last month and is due back for Wednesday's game against Duquesne.
Repella also had nine rebounds and five assists, both team highs.
Miriam McKenzie led Loyola with 11 points. Erica DiClemente and Nicole Krusen added 10 apiece.
Bianca Jarrett's 3-pointer just before the end of the first half helped West Virginia go into the break with a 31-25 lead. Taylor Palmer hit all three of her 3s and finished with nine points for the Mountaineers, who had 15 steals and outrebounded the Greyhounds 36-31.
