PHILADELPHIA - The University of Pennsylvania women's basketball team looks to end its Big 5 slate on a high note, hosting the Temple Owls on Wednesday, Jan. 23, with tipoff slated for 7 p.m. The game is Penn's penultimate non-conference tilt, and gives the Quakers a chance for three Big 5 wins for just the third time in program history. 

In the Series vs. Temple: 50th Meeting
The Quakers have squared off against the Owls more than any of their other Big 5 counterparts, and have found their most success against Philadelphia foes in games vs. Temple. Coach McLaughlin is 4-6 all-time against the Cherry and White, including a loss in the 2015 WNIT. The Quakers triumphed in last year's meeting at McGonigle Hall to claim the Big 5 crown, defeating the Owls 74-59, behind a then career-high 19 points from Ashley Russell. Penn is seeking its first win at The Palestra over Temple since January of 2015. 

Catching the Game: ESPN+
Wednesday's game can be watched live on ESPN+, as 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 the game.

Last Time Out: L, 50-58 vs. Villanova (Jan. 16, 2019)
   -  The Quakers held a lead over the Wildcats after each of the first three quarters of play, but were unable to seal the deal, dropping a 58-50 decision to Villanova. 
   -  Eleah Parker was a monstrous force inside for the Red and Blue, matching her career high with 25 points scored and setting a new personal best with 17 rebounds. Phoebe Sterba chipped in 12 points, all on 3-pointers. 

Scouting the Owls
Temple enters Wednesday's contest with an overall record of 4-13, including an 0-5 mark in the American Athletic Conference. Last time out, the Owls composed a valiant effort against UConn, falling 88-67. Among the Big 5, both teams tallied wins over Saint Joseph's and La Salle, while falling to Villanova. Statistically, Mia Davis averages 17.8 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, while Alliya Butts ranks second with 14.2 points per game.

Against the American Athletic Conference
Coach McLaughlin is 4-6 all-time against the AAC, with all 10 meetings coming against the Owls. Penn is 16-39 in its history against current members of the league.

Monster Performance by Parker
Reigning Ivy League and Big 5 Rookie of the Year Eleah Parker has, not surprisingly, been a key cog for the Quakers on offense. With one Player of the Week honor under her belt following Penn's victory at Drexel, Parker leads the team in both points (14.3) and rebounds (8.9), and ranks second nationally, averaging 3.5 blocks per game. 

Last time out, Parker matched her career high in points with 25, while setting a new personal best, collecting 17 rebounds. 

Streaking Sterba
Following Penn's 66-60 victory over Princeton, junior guard Phoebe Sterba was lauded with a bevy of accolades from around the country. Behind 21 points on 5-for-7 shooting from 3-point land, Sterba posted the best game of her career, earning Ivy League Co-Player, Big 5 Player, and USBWA National Player of the Week honors. She is shooting 59 percent from deep in Penn's last three games combined (13-of-22).

Atop the Mountain
Penn doesn't only boast high rankings among the Ivy League. The Quakers lead the nation in fewest fouls, playing a disciplined style of defense, while ranking third in scoring defense and third in field goal percentage defense (31.8). Penn's average of 44.6 rebounds per game is 10th nationally, while its defensive rebounding average of 30 is seventh. Offensively, Penn is second nationally in fewest turnovers.

Brick Wall
Opponents have faced a tough task when going inside to face Parker, as the sophomore ranks second nationally, averaging 3.5 blocks per game. Her 42 blocks so far this season individually would rank her over 83 TEAMS in block totals.

Success in the Big 5
Winning their last three Big 5 games last year, and their first two this season, Penn set a program record with five-straight wins against their in-city foes. The Quakers are 2-1 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.

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 put a bow on non-conference play, welcoming in local Division III opponent Haverford to The Palestra on Sunday, Jan. 27 at 1 p.m.