The Quakers have enjoyed a lot of success so far this season, compiling an 8-2 record, with one of the losses coming on the road against a Notre Dame team that was ranked #1 in the country at the time.
"We've progressed since the first day to now quickly," Penn head coach Mike McLaughlin said. "We really have gelled as a group. We're learning how to score the ball in multiple ways. We play hard, we defend you hard, and that's a good formula on that end of the floor. They really enjoy playing with each other. We have a really good group of players that are selfless, and the results have been there. I've been really pleased with our progress."
Penn plays tremendous defense, allowing just 49 points per game (that's third-best in the country) with opponents shooting just 31 percent from the field and 25 percent from three. Offensively, Penn is paced by sophomore center Eleah Parker and her 13.2 ppg. She also pulls down a team best 8.3 rebounds a contest.
The Quakers will be facing a red-hot Princeton team on Saturday. The Tigers started the season 1-7, but since have won seven in a row. Their outstanding junior guard/forward Bella Alarie missed the season's first nine games with an injury, but she's back now — averaging 19.3 points and 8.3 rebounds a game — and the Tigers are hitting on all cylinders.
"They are as good as anyone we're going to see in our league," McLaughlin said. "They have pieces all around, they can score the ball from the perimeter. Their post play is very good. Bella Alarie can do a little bit of everything and very well. We're going to have our hands full. They play the game hard, they defend you. We're going to have to move the ball, we're going to have to get up and down the floor, we're going to have to stay out of the halfcourt and try to score in transition against them. More importantly for us, we have to stay the course. We've made progress because we've played a certain way, and I hope our players play the same way on Saturday."
Last season, Princeton went 3-0 against Penn, including a win in the Ivy League Tournament title game.
Saturday's game at Jadwin Gym gets underway at 2 p.m.