NEWARK, N.J. - The good times kept on rolling for the University of Pennsylvania women's basketball team, as the Quakers (6-4) notched their fourth-straight win and a tournament championship in the process on Friday, dispatching NJIT 77-38. It was a dominant end to 2017 for Penn, as the Red and Blue outscored their opponents 159-90 in the two days of competition in Newark. 
 









PENN NEWS AND NOTES
*It was the Eleah Parker show again for the Red and Blue as the freshman had a monster first half with 16 points, while finishing a rebound shy of a double-double. The rookie finishes the tournament with a combined 34 points and 14 points in two games. Parker has now scored in double-digits in six-straight games. 

*Senior Beth Brzozowski had her best game of the season after being inserted in the starting lineup for the first time this year. Where Parker excelled in the first half, Brzozowski found her groove in the second, notching four 3-pointers to finish the game with 12 points.

*Penn finished the game with 13 3-pointers for the second-straight game. Matching Brzozowski's four was another four from Lauren Whitlatch. 

*For her efforts, Parker was named Tournament MVP, while Whitlatch joined the rookie as a member of the All-Tournament team. 

*With the dominant performances against both VCU and NJIT, the Quakers have won back-to-back games by 30+ points for the first time since January of 2014 in victories over Norfolk State and Morgan State. 

*Anna Ross continued to orchestrate the highly effective Penn offense, recording six assists on the evening. 

*Michelle Nwokedi was steady from the opening tip, finishing with 10 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. 

*The 38 points allowed by Penn is the lowest since Cornell scored 34 in February of last season. 

*Like last game against the Rams, Penn's ability to turn over NJIT, especially in the first half, proved valuable, as the Highlanders' 19 miscues turned into 18 points for the Quakers. 

*11 players recorded points for the Quakers, including the first career points for Michae Jones with three free throws. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
In what is becoming a well-received trend for fans of the Red and Blue, the Quakers shot out of the gate early, but unlike Thursday's game vs. VCU, Penn utilized its size and skill in the paint for the advantage. Nwokedi and Parker continued their synchronicity of late, playing off each other for a quick 10-2 lead. As the first quarter went on, Penn was able to continue to find good shots but couldn't find the bottom of the basket, allowing the Highlanders to inch closer, eventually cutting the lead to 20-15 after the opening frame.

Sloppy play for both sides continued into the second quarter, before Penn's long-range bombers got to work. Three-straight 3-pointers from Phoebe Sterba, Kendall Grasela and Whitlatch opened up the game and what would be an 18-3 run to end the period, as Parker put the finishing touches on a 16 point, seven rebound first half, giving Penn a 40-20 advantage into the locker room.

Once the offense caught fire, it didn't stop, as the Quakers would continue to extend the lead in the third quarter, primarily from 3-point range, as 15 of Penn's 19 points in the period came from distance in the form of Whitlatch, Brzozowski and Kinum.

The Quakers were able to gain valuable experience from their bench in the fourth quarter, as 14 total players entered the scorebook before the final buzzer rang. 

WHAT'S NEXT?
With 2017 now in the rearview mirror, the Quakers will turn their attention to the all-important Ivy League season. Ancient Eight action will open with rival Princeton visiting The Palestra on Saturday, Jan. 6 at 1 p.m.