PHILADELPHIA - The Battle of 33rd Street. The shortest road trip in Division I basketball. Two of the nation's top scoring defenses. Two top-20 Mid-Major programs. 

Whatever storyline you choose to pick for Friday morning's matchup between the University of Pennsylvania women's basketball team and neighboring Drexel, all can agree it's a big one. The Quakers are done with finals and primed for their first game action in nearly two weeks against the Dragons, who check in at No. 8 in the latest Mid-Major Top-25. 

In the Series vs. Drexel: 27th Meeting
It's been a competitive series throughout the history of these two programs, with the Dragons holding a slim 14-12 lead over Penn all-time. Coach McLaughlin has faced off against Drexel seven times while at Penn, going 3-4 against the Dragons, each victory coming at The Palestra. The last meeting, a 72-67 victory for the Quakers in 2015, was McLaughlin's 500th career win. Each of the last three meetings have been decided by single digits. 

Catching the Game: Drexel Stretch Internet
Friday's game can be watched for free online via Drexel's Stretch Internet portal. In-game Twitter updates and video can be found at @PennWBB. A complete recap, box score and highlights can be found on PennAthletics.com shortly after the conclusion of both games.

Last Time Out: W, 66-43 at Iona (Dec. 8, 2018)
   -  The Quakers notched their second-straight win with a solid performance at Iona last time out, led by a dominating double-double performance from Eleah Parker, featuring 18 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks. Princess Aghayere and Ashley Russell joined her in double-figure scoring.

Scouting the Dragons
Drexel enters Friday's game at 7-2 overall, most recently notching a 65-48 win over Gardner-Webb on Sunday. The Dragon's lone losses came in the season opener to Quinnipiac and in overtime to Wright State, featuring wins over Saint Joseph's and La Salle, similar to Penn. Drexel ranks first in the nation, allowing just 46.2 points per game, as only two opponents have managed to score over 50. Bailey Greenberg leads the team offensively, averaging over 18 points per game, while also shouldering the load down low with 7.3 rebounds each contest. 

Against the Colonial Athletic Association
Coach McLaughlin is 4-4 all-time against members of the Colonial Athletic Association, with seven of those games coming against Drexel. 

All About the Defense
Two of Penn and Drexel's largest similarities can be seen in their ranking atop the nation's best in scoring defense. The Dragons lead the country, allowing just 46.2 points per game, while the Quakers are right behind, sitting third as of Thursday, Dec. 20, allowing 49.8 points from their opponents. 

Penn has won 62 of its last 63 games when holding opponents to 49-points or less.

Parker Picking Up Steam
Reigning Ivy League Rookie of the Year Eleah Parker has picked up the pace of late for the Quakers, with four-straight double-digit scoring efforts, scoring at least 15 with at least seven rebounds in each four. She notched her second double-double of the season last time out at Iona.  

Parker was named to the Navy Classic All-Tournament Team for her performance over the Thanksgiving weekend, and currently leads the the team in scoring, rebounds and blocks.

Brick Wall
Opponents have faced a tough task when going inside to face Parker, as the sophomore ranks 14th nationally, averaging over 2.6 blocks per game. Her 21 blocks so far this season would rank her over 68 TEAMS in block totals.

Atop the Mountain
Penn doesn't just rank high among the Ivy League in statistical categories this season. The Quakers currently lead the nation in fewest fouls, playing a disciplined style of defense, while ranking third in scoring defense and sixth in field goal percentage defense (32.2). Penn's average of 45 rebounds per game is 19th nationally, while its defensive rebounding average of 31 is 14th. 

Strong On The Glass
Penn currently leads the Ivy League in nearly every rebounding category, owning a margin of +9.5 on the boards. The Quakers are 5-1 this year when outrebounding their opponent. 

Mid-Major Respect
The Quakers entered the year ranked 21st in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Poll and have moved up to 19. Penn has already played one ranked team in the non-conference (Maine), and will now face Drexel, ranked eighth in the poll.