PHILADELPHIA – Looking to rebound from its first loss of the season, the University of Pennsylvania women's basketball team returns to The Palestra to host Hartford on Monday, Dec. 2. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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In the Series vs. Hartford: First Meeting
Monday marks Penn's first game against Hartford in program history. Against the America East Conference, however, the Quakers are 6-3 under Coach Mike McLaughlin.
Catching the Game: ESPN+
Friday's game can be watched live on ESPN+ as part of the Ivy League's 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, 66-50 at Duke (Nov. 29, 2019)
- At Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke jumped on Penn early, and grew a lead as large as 21 during the second quarter.
- The Quakers rebounded, though, and cut the deficit to 16 by halftime. Out of the break, the Red and Blue continued its climb back, putting together a 7-1 spurt to open the third. Overall, Penn doubled the Blue Devils' third-period total 22-11 to claw within five at the end of the quarter.
- Penn couldn't get any closer, however, and eventually ran out of steam down the stretch, accounting for just one point over the final 7:45 to fall 66-50.
- Kayla Padilla continued her impressive start to her career, leading Penn with 15 points and four assists. Kennedy Suttle matched her career high with 11 points to go with five rebounds and three steals.
- For the first time this season, Penn finished with fewer points in the paint and fewer fast-break points than its opponent.
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.
This season, Penn is ranked eighth in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 49.6 points per game after allowing more than 51 points in a game for the first time of the year at Duke.
Padilla's Historic Start
Through five career games, Kayla Padilla has accounted for at least 14 points per game. 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). At Duke on Friday, Suttle piled up 11 more points, matching a career high.
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 assist/turnover ration, ranks second in assists per game and is fourth in steals per game.
Scouting Hartford
Hartford enters University City 0-7, including a 53-44 loss to Harvard in Cambridge, Mass. Jada Lucas leads the Hawks averaging 14.1 ppg while Sierra Smith has ripped down 7.4 boards per game.
Up Next
Penn will quickly turn its attention to La Salle for its second Big 5 matchup on Wednesday night, Dec. 4. Tip at Tom Gola Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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