PHILADELPHIA - The University of Pennsylvania women's basketball team will make the short trip to The Empire State for a matchup with the Iona Gaels on Saturday, Dec. 8. The Quakers will look to generate momentum before breaking for final exams following another dominating performance at The Palestra earlier in the week. Tipoff in New Rochelle, N.Y. is set for 1 p.m. 

In the Series vs. Iona: Third Meeting
The Quakers have faced off against the Gaels just twice before, and not in nearly 37 years. The first two meetings came within a two-year span, as Penn took down Iona in 1980 before dropping a two-point decision to the Gaels on the road in 1982.  

Catching the Game: ESPN3
Saturday's game can be watched live on ESPN3 through the Watch ESPN app. 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, 65-34 vs. La Salle (Dec. 5, 2018)
   -  The Quakers dominated the Explorers for their program record fifth-straight Big 5 victory on Wednesday night, using a 13-0 run to start the game and never looking back, as all 17 players dressed logged at least four minutes of action.
   -  Sophomore Eleah Parker notched a double-figure scoring performance for the third game in a row, with 15 points, adding seven rebounds and four blocks. Penn held La Salle to just 16 percent shooting from the floor, and outscored the visitors in the paint 36-6. 

Scouting the Gaels
Iona enters Saturday's contest at 1-7 on the year, on a four-game losing streak. The Gaels visited Philadelphia for their last game, facing Penn's Big 5 rival Temple, and lost to the Owls 59-39. Morgan Rachu leads an offense that scores just 42.4 points per game, averaging over 14 points each time out. Iona has eclipsed the 50-point mark just once this season. 

Against the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
Coach McLaughlin is 5-2 all-time against the MAAC, including a seven-point victory over Siena to open the season in November. Penn has won its last four meetings against the league. 

Parker Picking Up Steam
Reigning Ivy League Rookie of the Year Eleah Parker has picked up the pace of late for the Quakers, with three-straight double-digit scoring efforts. 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 and blocks and ranks second in rebounds. 

Not Your Typical Guard
Senior captain Ashley Russell has been known for her tenacity on the court throughout her time with the Quakers, but as the oldest starter on the court for Penn, she has ratcheted up the intensity even more this season. She currently leads the team in rebounding, averaging 7.1 boards per game, despite only measuring 5-10. Earlier this year, Russell collected a career-high 12 rebounds against Maine.

Dangerous Duo
Parker and Russell currently lead the team in scoring, with Parker at 12.3 points per game and Russell right behind at 9.7. Russell also leads the team in assists, averaging nearly 3.5 per game, while Parker has been dominant in the paint, pacing the Quakers with 2.3 BPG.

Princess Primed for Success
With the departure of Michelle Nwokedi, senior Princess Aghayere has transitioned into a starting role as a forward for the Quakers this season and has already seen an uptick in production. The Reston, Va. native has ventured into double figure scoring three times, including a season-high of 16 points against Saint Joseph's, and notched her third career double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds at Navy. 

Defensively Consistent
Penn has held its opponents to 68 points or less in 98 of its past 103 games. The lone games over that mark since Feb. 14, 2015 were last season and earlier this season at #1/1 Notre Dame.

Stingy Defense
Penn has developed into one of the nation's most consistent defensive squads, holding its opposition to an average of 60 points or less to finish the year for eight-straight seasons. Penn currently ranks seventh nationally, holding its opponents to just 50.7 points per game.