PHILADELPHIA - The blustery cold weather outside can only mean one thing... Ivy League action is back! Per usual, the University of Pennsylvania (6-4) women's basketball team will open up play in the Ancient Eight with rival Princeton. Both squads enter Saturday's game with momentum, each having won their last four games. The Quakers and Tigers have combined to win the past eight Ivy League titles, and were picked in similar fashion this year, as Penn grabbed 12 first-place votes in the preseason media poll to Princeton's five. A sixth-straight victory over Princeton would start the New Year off right for the Red and Blue and would be great first step on the #RoadToIvyMadness!

In the Series vs. Princeton: 84th Meeting
Today's game marks the 84th meeting all-time between the Quakers and the Tigers as Penn has faced off against Princeton more than any other program in school history. While Princeton leads the all-time series 54-29, the Quakers have won five-straight over the Tigers, including a three-game sweep last year with two meetings in the regular season and one in the inaugural Ivy League Tournament. The current five-game streak matches Penn's longest in the series history. 

Catching the Game: Ivy League Network
Saturday's game will be televised on the Ivy League Network (ILN), now available on Apple TV, Roku and the ILN app for Android and Apple devices. 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.

Last Time Out: W, 77-38 at NJIT (Dec. 29, 2017)
   - The Quakers capped a successful venture at the NJIT Christmas Tournament with a championship performance against the host Highlanders, earning their largest win since last season vs. Stevens Tech. With only a five-point lead after the first quarter, the Red and Blue then went on a 20-5 run before halftime to break open the game and cruise to victory. Freshman Eleah Parker was named Tournament MVP after combining for 34 points, 14 rebounds, five blocks and three steals in the two wins over VCU and NJIT.
   - 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.
   - Lauren Whitlatch joined Parker on the All-Tournament team, as the senior captain notched four 3-pointers in both contests, shooting 47 percent from long range in Newark. 

Scouting the Tigers
Like Penn, Princeton enters Saturday's game winners of four-straight games, including victories over Wagner, Saint Joseph's, Chattanooga and UMBC. The two teams share two common opponents from the non-conference in Saint Joseph's and Georgia Tech, with both earning victories over the Hawks and coming up short against the Yellow Jackets. The Tigers feature last year's Ivy League Rookie of the Year in Bella Alarie, who leads the squad in points (15.5), rebounds (9.0) and blocks (2.2). A second-team All-Ivy member last year, Leslie Robinson has also been a solid contributor for Princeton, averaging 10.2 points per game. Freshman Carlie Littlefield averages 3.2 assists per game from the guard position. 

SPIN Day at The Palestra!
Saturday's game is SPIN (Special People in the Northeast) Day at The Palestra! The SPIN Choir will be performing the national anthem prior to tipoff, with an in-game recognition and highlights of the Fall Ball Classic to be shown. After the game, the Quakers will be signing autographs in the Tse Atrium. 

SPIN Inc. provides the highest quality, people-first services and supports for children and adults with intellectual, developmental, and autism spectrum disabilities so that each may achieve and enjoy a life of possibilities.

Parker Gaining Steam
Don't look now, but freshman center Eleah Parker has heated up of late and is brining the best play of her young career into conference action. Winner of the last three Ivy League Rookie of the Week awards, Parker was also named Big 5 Player of the Week and USBWA National Freshman of the Week after her impressive performances against VCU and NJIT at the NJIT Christmas Tournament. Parker has now scored in double-digits in six-straight games, while also collecting 5+ rebounds in five of those contests, including a season-best 11 vs. Rhode Island. 

Efficient Eleah
The key to Parker's success is evident in her efficiency from the floor. The rookie currently ranks second in the Ivy League in field goal percentage at 51 percent after going 16-for-25 (64 percent) in two games at the NJIT Christmas Tournament. Parker also ranks first among all Ivy League freshman in scoring with 10.8 points per game.

Nwokedi Selected as Senior CLASS Award Candidate
Senior captain Michelle Nwokedi was named one of 30 Division I student-athletes from around the country as a candidate for the 2018 Senior CLASS Award, celebrating those with achievement in competition, community, classroom and character. In addition to her success on court, Nwokedi has proven success in other facets, earning a spot on last year's Winter Academic All-Ivy team, and starting a fundraiser for victims of Huricane Harvey. 

Ivy League Success 
Last year marked the fourth-straight season that Penn won 11 or more Ivy League games, including the second year in a row that the Quakers tallied 13 victories gainst the Ancient Eight. Prior to that, Penn had won 11 or more Ivy League games only twice in its entire history. The program record was set in 2000-01 when the Quakers went undefeated at 14-0.

Dishin' Out Dimes
Anna Ross currently ranks fourth all-time at Penn with 395 career assists, only 33 behind the program leader Cheryl Rath (428 - 1989). Ross currently ranks tied for 35th in the nation, averaging 5.5 assists per game. Against Rhode Island, Ross set a new career-high with 10 assists and became the first Quaker since Lauren Pears (Jan. 13, 2007) to notch a double-double on points/assists.

#RoadToIvyMadness
The Quakers earned the No. 1 seed in last year's inaugural Ivy League women's basketball tournament by virtue of winning the regular season trophy with a 13-1 record against the Ancient Eight. The Ivy League men's and women's basketball tournaments return to Philadelphia, where they will take place Saturday and Sunday, March 10-11, 2018. The top four teams will earn berths to the tournament, with the semifinals on Saturday and the championships on Sunday. All six games will be broadcast live on ESPN's networks. For tickets and more information please visit IvyMadness.com. 

Catching Fire
You may have noticed, but the Penn offense has been scorching of late. After scoring 84 against Rhode Island and 82 against VCU, the Quakers notched 80+ points in back-to-back contests for the first time since 2003. The Red and Blue have tied a McLaughlin-era record in two of the last three games, hitting 13 3-pointers against URI and NJIT. Leading the charge has been Lauren Whitlatch, who ranks 36th in the country, averaging 3.0 three's per game. 

Up Next...
Ivy League play continues for the Quakers next week in the typical Friday/Saturday format, as Penn welcomes Cornell on Friday, Jan. 12 at 5:30 p.m. before facing Columbia on Saturday, Jan. 13 at 4:30 p.m.