PHILADELPHIA – At 7-1 and riding its best start in program history, the University of Pennsylvania women's basketball team hosts crosstown rival Drexel on Friday afternoon at The Palestra, a matchup of two top-20 teams in the latest College Insider Mid-Major Poll. The game is Penn's first in almost two full weeks when it steamrolled Stetson 81-41 on Dec. 7 at the Cathedral of College Basketball.

GAME INFORMATION: Penn (7-1, 0-0 Ivy League) vs. Drexel (6-4, 0-0 CAA)
The Palestra | 11:30 a.m. | WATCH | LIVE STATS | Penn Game Notes | Drexel Game Notes

In the Series vs. Drexel: 28th Meeting
Drexel leads the series 14-13, but the Quakers have taken four of the last six meetings, including each of the last two. Last year, Penn made the short trek across Market Street to the DAC and left with a 55-39 win. Eleah Parker steered the ship to a near triple-double with 17 points, 13 rebounds and seven blocks.

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: W, 81-41 vs Stetson (Dec. 7, 2019)
  - Penn raced out to a 24-13 lead in the first quarter before bludgeoning the Hatters 20-4 in the second period. Stetson's four second-quarter points are the fewest that the Quakers allowed in a period all season.
  - The Red and Blue forced Stetson into 27 turnovers, the most during Mike McLaughlin's tenure, while drilling 14 shots beyond the arc, also the most under McLaughlin. During his time, Penn is now 31-0 when making at least 10 three pointers.
  - Kayla Padilla eclipsed 20 points for the third time in the week, going for 24 while shooting 6-for-7 from three-point range. Padilla was named the USBWA, Big 5 and Ivy League Player of the Week.

Nationally, We Rank...
*Third in assist/TO ratio (1.66)

*Fifth in scoring defense (48.0)

*Sixth in fewest fouls per game (13.0)

*Seventh in fewest turnovers per game (11.8)

*10th in assists per game (19.5)

*10th in field-goal percentage defense (32.3)

*15th in turnover margin (+8.25)

*16th in scoring margin (+24.0).

Defensive Mentality
Penn ranks fifth in the country in scoring defense, allowing just 48.0 ppg through the first eight games of the season. One key attribute to that number is the Red and Blue's ability to turn opponents over. The Quakers are 15th in the nation in turnover margin (+8.25) and have forced 20 or more turnovers four times this year, including 27 against Stetson, the most under McLaughlin. Teams are shooting just 32.3 percent against Penn, the 10th-lowest mark in the country.

Sharing, Not Careless
The Red and Blue has created a lot of its offensive production through its passing. Penn averages 19.5 assists per game, the 10th-best total in the country and best among the Ivies. Conversely, the Quakers have turned the ball over just 11.8 times per game, seventh in the country, leading to the third-best assist/TO ratio in the country (1.66). Kendall Grasela is the straw that stirs the drink, ranking second in the country is assist/TO ratio at 4.09 and 23rd nationally in assists per game (5.6) - both totals lead the Ivy League.

Padilla's Performance
Last week, Padilla racked up a gaggle of weekly awards for eclipsing the 20-point mark in games against Hartford, La Salle and Steteson. She was named Ivy League Playr and Rookie of the Week, Big 5 Player of the Week, and the U.S. Basketball Writers Association National Freshman of the Week. She leads the Ivies in scoring at 19.8 ppg and is second nationally among freshmen.

Up Next
After the holiday break, Penn embarks on a trip outside the continental U.S. to play Hawai'i on New Year's Eve and then Chaminade on Jan. 2.

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