PHILADELPHIA - Back in The Cathedral of College Basketball one final time in the year of 2017 for the University of Pennsylvania (3-4) women's basketball team, as the Quakers are set to host the Rhode Island Rams on Friday, Dec. 22 at 1 p.m.  With finals now behind them, the Red and Blue hope to build on their momentum from a 57-50 road win over Saint Joseph's almost two weeks ago and notch their first multi-game winning streak of the season. Oh, and if you happen to see (or hear) a few hundred screaming kids in the stands, that would be because the Quakers are hosting local youngsters for a School Day Game!

In the Series vs. Rhode Island: Second Meeting
Friday's game marks just the second meeting between the Quakers and the Rams in program history, with the first matchup coming just over a year ago in Kingston, R.I. Penn jumped in front early and never looked back, cruising to a 75-43 victory, and was guided by a career-high night from Lauren Whitlatch with 24 points on six three-pointers. Michelle Nwokedi also tallied 16 points in the victory for the Red and Blue.

Catching the Game: Ivy League Network
Friday's game can be seen live on the Ivy League Network. In-game Twitter updates can be found @PennWBB. A complete recap, box score and highlights can be found on PennAthletics.com shortly after the conclusion of the game.

Against the Atlantic 10 Conference
Coach Mike McLaughlin owns a 10-12 overall record against the Atlantic 10 Conference. McLaughlin has faced off against the A-10 more than any other league exluding the Ivy League, largly due to playing affiliated members La Salle and Saint Joseph's each year as part of Big 5 play. The Quakers are in the midst of playing three-straight A-10 foes (Saint Joseph's, Rhode Island, VCU).

Last Time Out: W, 57-50 at Saint Joseph's (Dec. 11, 2017)
   - A strong defensive performance vaulted the University of Pennsylvania (3-4) women's basketball team ahead of Big 5 foe Saint Joseph's on Monday, Dec. 11, marking the first road win for Penn agains the Hawks since 2004.
   - Freshman Eleah Parker led the way for the Red and Blue, marking career-highs in nearly every statistical category including points (15), rebounds (8), minutes (30), blocks (4), steals (2) and assists (2). 
   - Turnovers were key for the Quaker defense, as Penn forced the Hawks into 17 miscues and converted those into 19 points. Senior Michelle Nwokedi chipped in 14 points, while Anna Ross continued her consistent point guard play, assisting on five buckets. 

Scouting the Rams
Rhode Island enters Friday's contest with an overall record of 2-9 and had a one-game winning streak snapped at home last time out in a 69-63 loss to Holy Cross. The Rams' lone victories have come against UMass Lowell and Fairfield. Nicole Jorgensen leads the way on offense for URI, averaging 11.9 points per contest, while also boasting a team-high 6.9 rebounds each game. 

Parker - Rookie of the Week
Following Eleah Parker's breakout performance on the road at Saint Joseph's, the freshman was tabbed the Ivy League Rookie of the Week. Parker stuffed the stat sheet in notching career-highs in nearly every statistical category, including points (15), rebounds (8), blocks (4), minutes (30), assists (2), steals (2), and field goals (6).

Dishin' Out Dimes
Anna Ross currently ranks fourth all-time at Penn with 374 career assists, only 54 behind the program leader Cheryl Rath (428 - 1989). Ross also currently ranks eighth in the nation, averaging 38 minutes per game.

Watch Out for Nwokedi
Already a candidate for the inaugural Katrina McClain award entering the season, Nwokedi continues to be a steady force for the Red and Blue on both offense and defense. The senior captain currently ranks 17th in the nation in blocks per game at 2.71, and has risen up to No. 8 in the Penn record books for all-time scoring with 1,226 points. Nwokedi needs 39 points to tie Natasha Rezek (1992-94, 1996) for seventh all-time. 

Can't Get to 5-0? It's a No-Go.
The Quakers have won 51-straight games when holding their opponents to 49 points or less. The last time a team defeated the Quakers despite being held under 50 points was January 16, 2013, a 48-44 loss to Big 5 rival Villanova. 

Up Next...
The Quakers wrap up the 2017 calendar year at the NJIT Christmas Tournament in Newark, N.J., first battling VCU on Thursday, Dec. 28 at 7 p.m. before facing either the host Highlanders or Long Beach State in the second contest of the event.