PHILADELPHIA – Off to its best start in program history, the University of Pennsylvania women's basketball team returns to The Palestra to host Stetson after a 65-49 defeat of La Salle, its second Big 5 road win in as many chances. The matchup with the Hatters serves as the Quakers' fourth game in eight days. Tip is scheduled for noon on Saturday, Dec. 7.
GAME INFORMATION: Penn (6-1, 0-0 Ivy) vs. Stetson (4-4, 0-0 ASUN)
The Palestra | Noon | WATCH | LIVE STATS | Penn Game Notes | Stetson Game Notes
In the Series vs. Stetson: Fourth Meeting
After just over 20 years, Penn and Stetson renewed the series last season as the Quakers rolled to a 75-53 win in Deland, Fla. Four Quakers finished in double figures, led by Ashley Russell's 23 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. As for returners, Phoebe Sterba scored 12, Eleah Parker added 11 and nine rebounds and Kendall Grasela recorded 10 points and six assists.
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, 65-49 at La Salle (Dec. 4, 2019)
- Penn trailed for the majority of the first quarter before using an 18-1 run in the second to race away from the Explorers at Tom Gola Arena, improving to 2-0 in Big 5 play and 6-1 overall, the best start in program history.
- Kayla Padilla poured in a game-high 24 points, the fourth time she's ecipsed the 20-point threshold in just seven career games. Phoebe Sterba drilled five three-pointers to pile up 22 points, five rebounds and four assists.
- Kennedy Suttle matched a career high with 11 rebound while Tori Crawford and Kendall Grasela each set a new mark with nine boards apiece.
- The Quakers racked up 17 assists to just eight turnovers and outscored La Salle 20-5 off turnovers.
Nationally, Penn Ranks…
*Fifth in scoring defense at 49.0 ppg.
*Sixth in assist/TO ratio at 1.55.
*13th in assists per game with 19.0.
*14th in field-goal percentage defense, limiting opponents to just 32.5 percent from the field.
*16th in turnovers per game, coughing the ball up just 12.3 times per game.
*25th in both scoring margin (+21.7) and turnover margin (+6.71).
The Most Since…
*Penn scored 495 points through seven games are the most since 2002-03.
*Penn forced 25 turnovers against Hartford the most all-time under Mike McLaughlin against a D-I opponent.
Padilla's Historic Start
Through seven career games, Kayla Padilla has accounted for at least 14 points in every game. In just her second, at NJIT, she scored a game-high 25, the first Quaker to hit that number in one of her first two games since Diana Caramanico scored 26 in her debut back in 1997-98. 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. Padilla raised her season total to four 20-point games this week after going 8-for-11 from the field against Hartford on Monday en route to 20 points and then another 24 points at La Salle on Wednesday. She leads the Ivies at 19.1 ppg.
Kennedy Comes Back
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, Suttle piled up 11 more points, matching a career high and then snatched 11 boards for the second time in her career against La Salle on Wednesday.
Kendall, The Creator
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, assist/turnover ratio and is third in steals per game.
Sharpshooting Sterba
Phoebe Sterba, who returns as Penn's most lethal 3-point shooter, finishing last season with 75 made 3-pointers, second most in single-season history, is back to her sharpshooting ways. Through seven games, she's hit 18 threes, including five against La Salle on Wednesday.
Scouting the Hatters
Stetson arrives in University City 4-4, suffering two losses to nationally-ranked opponents in No. 13 Kentucky and No. 23 Tennessee. Day'Neshia Banks steers the ship offensively, averaging 15.4 ppg and a team-high 7.9 rpg.
Against the ASUN Conference
Earlier this season, Penn improved to 6-2 improved under Mike McLaughlin against current members of the ASUN with an 85-51 win over NJIT. The Quakers last loss againt ASUN competition came to the Highlanders back on Jan. 11, 2012.
Up Next
The Quakers are off until Friday, Dec. 20 when they host Drexel at The Palestra at 11:30 a.m.
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