PHILADELPHIA - Back home.

After having its unbeaten streak in the Ivy League come to an end last weekend, the University of Pennsylvania women's basketball team returns home for the beginning of a five-game stretch inside The Palestra, starting with matchups against Columbia and Cornell. The Quakers tipoff against the Lions on Friday, Feb. 22 at 5:30 p.m., before squaring off against the Big Red on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Both games are part one of a doubleheader with the men's team. 

In the Series vs. Columbia: 67th Meeting
Penn holds a commanding 47-18 advantage in the all-time series with the Lions and has won 15 straight against Columbia dating back to 2012. Coach McLaughlin is 16-3 against the New York City foe, and Penn has not lost at home to the Lions since 2010. 

In the Series vs. Cornell: 81st Meeting
With five straight wins against the Big Red, the Quakers have extended their all-time advantage over Cornell to 59-21. Penn's last loss at home to Cornell came in 2015, and Coach McLaughlin is 12-7 against the Big Red in his time with the Quakers. 

Catching the Games: ESPN+
Both of this weekend's games can can be watched live on ESPN+, as part of the Ivy League's new 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 both games.

Last Time Out: L, 72-80 (2OT) at Harvard (Feb. 16, 2019)
   -   The Quakers suffered a tough loss, their first in Ivy League play, last weekend, falling to Harvard after two overtime periods in Cambridge.
   -   Four players finished in double-figure scoring for Penn in the defeat, including double-double performances from Eleah Parker and Ashley Russell, a season-high 19 points from Princess Aghayere and a career-high 15 from Michae Jones. 

Scouting the Lions
Despite an overall record of 7-14, Columbia is one of the upstart teams in the league, featuring just one senior on the squad. At 3-5 in conference play, the Lions enter the weekend in a three-way tie for fifth place. Offensively, they are led by at least 12 points per game from Sienna Durr, Riley Casey and Janiya Clemmons, as Columbia averages nearly eight made 3-pointers per game.

Scouting the Big Red
An Ivy League sweep last weekend kept Cornell in the hunt for the conference tournament, pushing the Big Red to 9-10 overall and 3-5 in the conference. Cornell's strength is its defense, allowing just 57.9 points per game, while junior Laura Bagwell-Katalinich leads the team on offense, averaging nearly 16 points per game. 

All About the Defense
Penn's calling card this season has undoubtedly been defense, as the Quakers rank fifth nationally, allowing just 51.9 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 has won 68 of its last 69 games when holding opponents to 49-points or less.

Home Cookin'
Penn hasn't lost an Ivy League home game to a team other than Princeton since an 11-point setback to Cornell on Feb. 6, 2015. 

Magic Number: 60 
The statistic that may most indicate a Penn win or loss? 60 points. Penn has won 96 of its last 97 regular season games when scoring at least 60 points in regulation. Since head coach Mike McLaughlin took over at Penn, the Quakers are 127-12 (.914) when they reach that number (99-4 over the last four seasons). In comparison, the Quakers are just 44-101 (.303) when they've scored less than 60 points under Coach McLaughlin. The trend continues defensively. Over the last seven seasons, the Red and Blue are 33-54 (.379) when allowing 60 points or more. But when holding opponents under that number, the Quakers hold a healthy winning record of 136-33 (.805).

Brick Wall
Opponents have faced a tough task when going inside to face Parker, as the sophomore ranks second nationally, averaging 3.4 blocks per game. Her 68 blocks so far this season individually would rank her over 124 TEAMS in block totals.

Ivy League Success 
Last season marked the fifth-straight year that Penn won 11 or more Ivy League games. Prior to that, Penn had won 11 or more Ivy League games only twice in its entire history.

Atop the Mountain
Penn boasts high rankings not just among the Ivy League. Known for a disciplined commitment to defense, Penn ranks first in the nation in fewest fouls, while ranking fourth in field goal percentage defense (33.0) and fifth in scoring defense. Penn's average of 43.2 rebounds per game is 17th nationally, and its 5.2 blocked shots a game is 20th in the country. Offensively, Penn is third nationally in fewest turnovers.

What's Next?
The busiest stretch of conference play continues at home for the Quakers, as rival Princeton comes to town for a midweek matchup on Tuesday, Feb. 26.