PHILADELPHIA – Buoyed by four double-digit victories - and three by more than 30 points - the University of Pennsylvania women's basketball team takes its best start in program history on the road to Cameron Indoor Stadium for a dance with Duke on Friday afternoon. Tip is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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In the Series vs. Duke: Fourth Meeting
Penn is looking for its first win against the Blue Devils on Friday afternoon, entering the series 0-3 all-time, including losses in back-to-back seasons in 2015 and 2016 with the only other matchup being held in 1984. In 2015 at The Palestra, Duke edged the Quakers 57-50 and then defeated Penn 68-55 the following season at Cameron Indoor.
Catching the Game: ACC Network Extra
Friday's game can be watched live on ACC Network Extra. 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: W, 55-45 at Saint Joseph's (Nov. 20, 2019)
- In a tight, scrappy contest, Penn held Saint Joseph's scoreless over the final 5:07 to secure a 10-point win at Hagan Arena, moving to 4-0 and continuing its best start in program history.
- Kayla Padilla led the way again with 22 points, the second time she's eclipsed the 20-point mark in her first four career games.
- The win was the Quakers' fourth straight Big 5 road win, a program record, and marked their seventh in the last nine Big 5 games overall, the best stretch in program history.
- Off the bench, Tori Crawford has been a huge asset for Penn. She contributed eight points, including a career high-matching four free throws, five rebounds and two blocked shots.
Offensive Eruption
In the season-opening win over Siena, Penn racked up 92 points - the most since defeating Yale in overtime, 92-80, on Feb. 2, 2001 and the most in a regulation game since a 92-82 win over Princeton on Jan. 8, 2000. At the halftime break, the Quakers put 57 on the board, the most under Coach Mike McLaughlin and Penn scored 30 in the first quarter, the third-most in a period all-time. Penn hammered NJIT for 85 tallies in the second game and then added 74 more against Iona. After a 55-45 win over Saint Joseph's, Penn has scored 306 points through four games, the most in program history.
All About the Defense
Penn's calling card in the McLaughlin-era has undoubtedly been its defense, as the Quakers finished last season eighth in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 54.4 points per game. In games against Maine, La Salle, Iona and Drexel, Penn held held four-straight opponents to 47 points or less for the first time since 1975.
Penn is ranked fourth in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 45.5 points per game and is in the top 20 in scoring margin at +31.0 ppg.
Padilla's Historic Start
In her first four career games, Kayla Padilla has poured in 75 points, the most for a Penn freshman since Diana Caramanico in 1997-98. In just her second game, at NJIT, Padilla scored a game-high 25, the first Quaker to hit that number in one of her first two games since Caramanico scored 26 in her debut. Paired with her 14-point game against Siena to begin the season, Padilla's 39 points through two games were the most by a freshman at Penn since Kirsten Brendel scored 54 in 1987-88. She earned her second consecutive Ivy League Rookie of the Week award after burying Saint Joseph's with 22 points last week.
Kennedy Comes Back
After suffering a season-ending injury last year, sophomore Kennedy Suttle has emerged as an impact player in the starting five. Against Iona at The Palestra, Suttle recorded her first double-double, racking up career highs in points (11) and rebounds (11).
Grasela Shines Under Bright Lights
In her second year as a starter, Kendall Grasela is reaching new heights as a creator, decision maker and facilitator. The senior guard delivered nine assists against NJIT, a career high, to just one turnover, before eclipsing that mark against Iona with a 10-assist, two-turnover performance becoming the first player to hit double digits since Anna Ross on Dec. 22, 2017. She leads the Ivies in assists per game, is second in assist/turnover ratio and third in steals per game.
Scouting the Blue Devils
On Thursday night, Duke improved to 5-2 with an 82-52 win at Cameron Indoor Stadium over Davidson. Both of the Blue Devils' losses have come to teams receiving votes in the latest AP Poll: No. 6 Texas A&M in College Station and to Northwestern. Haley Gorecki drives the boat on the offensive end, averaging 19.1 ppg after dropping 25 on Davidson.
Against the Atlantic Coast Conference
Penn is searching for its second all-time win against the ACC, entering Friday 1-15 in program history and 1-9 under Mike McLaughlin. The win came at Miami (Fla.) in thrilling fashion, edging the Hurricanes 67-66. Penn's last matchup with the ACC came last season in South Bend against No. 3/2 Notre Dame.
Up Next
A quick turnaround lies ahead for the Quakers, who return home to host Hartford at The Palestra on Monday before continuing Big 5 play at La Salle on Wednesday night.
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