PHILADELPHIA - Back to the Big 5. Following a thrilling victory in its Ivy League opener, the University of Pennsylvania women's basketball team returns home to The Palestra for the first time since early December with a chance to claim a second-straight city title. The Quakers welcome Philadelphia foe Villanova on Wednesday, Jan. 16 for a 7 p.m. tipoff. A win would clinch at least a share of the Big 5 crown for the Red and Blue. 

In the Series vs. Villanova: 46th Meeting
The Wildcats hold a commanding 42-3 lead in the all-time series against the Quakers, dating back to 1974. Penn earned its first victory over Villanova since 2001 last season, upending the 'Cats 79-77 inside of Jake Nevin Field House. The 79 points scored for the Quakers were their most ever scored against Nova in program history, and they were led by 25 points and nine rebounds from Eleah Parker. Penn has not won a home game against Villanova since 1975. 

Catching the Game: NBC Sports Philadelphia Plus/ESPN+
Wednesday's game can be watched both on TV and online. Regional viewers can tune in on NBC Sports Philadelphia Plus, while elsewhere you can watch on ESPN+, part of the Ivy League's new partnership with ESPN. 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, 66-60 at Princeton (Jan. 5, 2019)
   -  The Quakers tallied a dramatic and hard-fought victory over Ivy League rival Princeton last time out, storming back behind a 27-point fourth quarter to defeat the Tigers, 66-60. The win was Penn's fifth in a row and pushed the Red and Blue to a 1-0 start in conference play.
   -   Junior guard Phoebe Sterba was vital in the win for the Quakers, scoring a career-best 21 points on 5-of-7 shooting from 3-point land. She was joined in double figures with Eleah Parker (14) and Princess Aghayere (12 points, 12 rebounds). 

Scouting the Wildcats
Villanova enters Wednesday's contest at 10-6 on the year, but the Wildcats have lost three in a row, all to conference competition, sitting 2-4 in the BIG EAST. Nova is 3-0 against the Big 5 this season, with a chance to win the city championship for the 16th time. Penn and Villanova's other common opponent outside of Philadelphia is Princeton, with both teams racking up a win against the Tigers. The Wildcats are led by a deadly 3-point attack, averaging 9.4 made shots from distance per game, ranking 16th in the nation. 

Against the BIG EAST Conference
Coach McLaughlin earned his first victory against the BIG EAST Conference last season following Penn's 79-77 triumph over Villanova. 

Brick Wall
Opponents have faced a tough task when going inside to face Parker, as the sophomore ranks second nationally, averaging 3.45 blocks per game. Her 38 blocks so far this season individually would rank her over 92 TEAMS in block totals.

Success in the Big 5
Dating back to last season, Penn has won five-straight games against Big 5 opponents, a new program record. The Quakers are 2-0 against the Big 5 this year, having notched a 20-point victory over Saint Joseph's in November and a 31-point win over La Salle.

Defending Big 5 Champions
With a 74-59 victory at Temple, the Quakers claimed a share of the Big 5 Championship with a 3-1 record on the year, their second in program history. After dropping their first city contest at La Salle, Penn rallied to defeat Saint Joseph's (57-50), Villanova (79-77) and Temple, with each Big 5 game coming on the road for the Red and Blue.

Coach McLaughlin and the Big 5
In the 30 years of Big 5 play prior to Coach McLaughlin taking over at Penn, the Quakers had won a total of 14 Big 5 games. In his 10th season with the Red and Blue, he has matched that number himself, with 14 wins against his in-city rivals. He is the only coach in program history to win at least one game against every Big 5 school, and has helped lead Penn to its first two Big 5 championships in program history.

Up Next
The Quakers will conclude Big 5 play with a home game against Temple, next Wednesday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m.