PHILADELPHIA - The University of Pennsylvania women's basketball team takes its 8-1 start - its best in program history - outside of the continental U.S. to play Hawaii on Tuesday, Dec. 31 and then Chaminade on Thursday, Jan. 2 in Honolulu.
GAME INFORMATION: Penn (8-1, 0-0 Ivy) at Hawaii (6-6, 0-0 Big West)
Honolulu, Hawaii | Stan Sheriff Center | 7 p.m. EST | Watch | Live Stats
GAME INFORMATION: Penn (8-1, 0-0 Ivy) at Chaminade (2-8, 2-3 PacWest)
Honolulu, Hawaii | Mccabe Gymnasium | 6 p.m. EST | Watch | Live Stats
In the Series vs. Hawaii: Third Meeting
Penn and Hawaii enter game three of the all-time series square at 1-1 after the Quakers' 64-54 win in 2016 over the Rainbow Wahine. Three in the Red and Blue recorded at least 15 in the last meeting, including Michelle Nwokedi's 20 points.
Catching the Game: Big West TV
Tuesday's game can be watched live on Big West TV while Thursday's will be found directly on Chaminade's website. In-game Twitter updates and video can be found at @PennWBB. A complete recap, box score and highlights will be on PennAthletics.com shortly after the conclusion of the game.
Last Time Out: W, 53-49 vs Drexel (Dec. 20, 2019)
 - Penn rebounded from its worst offensive first half of the season with a terrific third quarter to claw from behind to beat Drexel. The Quakers outscored the Dragons 23-14, including a 17-2 run, in the third.
 - Kayla Padilla led four Penn players in double figures with 17 points while Tori Crawford, Eleah Parker and Phoebe Sterba all finished with 10.
 - Crawford was 4-for-5 from the field and snatched a team-high six rebounds on the afternoon.
Nationally, We Rank...
*Fourth in scoring defense (48.1 ppg)
*Sixth in assist/TO ratio (1.45)
*Sixth in fewest fouls per game (12.6)
*Eighth in field-goal percentage defense (32.1)
*14th in assists per game (18.7)
*17th in scoring margin (+21.8)
*22nd in fewest turnovers per game (12.9)
*24th in turnover margin (+6.22).
Offensive Eruption
On average under McLaughlin, Penn reaches 80 points in a game 1.7 times per year. Through just nine games, the Quakers have eclipsed 80 points three times after scorching Stetson 81-41. When reaching 80, Penn is 19-1 during McLaughlin's reign and 3-0 this year.
Defensive Mentality
Penn ranks fourth in the country in scoring defense, allowing just 48.1 ppg through the first nine games of the season. One key attribute to that number is the Red and Blue's ability to turn opponents over. The Quakers are 24th in the nation in turnover margin (+6.22) and have forced 20 or more turnovers four times this year, including 27 against Stetson, the most under McLaughlin. Teams are shooting just 32.1 percent against Penn, the eighth-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 18.7 assists per game, the 14th-best total in the country and best among the Ivies. Conversely, the Quakers have turned the ball over just 12.9 times per game, 22nd in the country, leading to the sixth-best assist/TO ratio in the country (1.45). Kendall Grasela is the straw that stirs the drink, ranking fifth in the country is assist/TO ratio at 3.20 and 25th nationally in assists per game (5.3) - both totals lead the Ivy League.
Padilla's Historic Freshman Season
Two weeks ago, 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 19.4 ppg and is second nationally among freshmen.
Scouting the Rainbow Wahine
Hawaii enters New Year's Eve at 6-6 but holds Power 5 victories over both Texas and Washington. Julissa Tago and Amy Atwell each average double figures in points at a little over 11 ppg. Atwell also leads the team in rebounding, pulling in 5.4 per game.
Scouting the Silverswords
Chaminade is off to a slow start at 2-8 on the season, including 2-3 in Division II's PacWest Conference. Destiny Castro holds the biggest sword for Chaminade, averaging 17.2 ppg and 4.7 rpg.
Up Next
Following the trip to Hawaii, Penn returns to The Palestra to host Princeton on Saturday, Jan. 11 in its Ivy League opener.
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