Gwynedd Mercy had no match for freshman center Eleah Parker, who earned her fourth double-double despite playing only 17 minutes.
Credit: William SnowMake it a cool half-dozen.
Penn women’s basketball freshman center Eleah Parker’s newest addition to an already long list of weekly awards puts her in record breaking territory. Her latest Ivy League Rookie of the Week award – her sixth – marks the most since her frontcourt companion and senior Michelle Nwokedi earned six in 2014-2015.
This time, Parker’s week included no Ivy League opponents. The Quakers played Temple in a Big 5 title clinching win before hosting D-III Gwynedd Mercy in a massive 89-25 blowout.
Against Temple, Parker came two rebounds short of another double-double, scoring 16 points to pair with those eight boards. She also registered three blocks in a solid defensive showing.
While it came against out-matched opponents, Parker’s production against Gwynedd Mercy is still impressive considering her limited minutes. With a commanding lead practically from the opening tip, coach Mike McLaughlin rested his starters for much of the game, resulting in only 17 minutes for the freshman center, less than half of what she usually averages.
In that limited time, Parker still managed to record her fourth double-double, grabbing a career-high 15 rebounds, along with 12 points. Parker’s offensive output was highly efficient, shooting 6 for 8 with seven offensive rebounds — two more than Gwynedd Mercy’s entire team.
Parker will look to surpass her teammate and move closer to 2001 Penn graduate Diana Caramanico's all-time league record of ten Ivy Rookie of the Week selections next weekend, when Ivy play continues against Brown and Yale.
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