Owens silent but deadly

Center Geoff Owens returns, with jaw wired, in search of the Penn record for blocked shots. Penn junior Geoff Owens takes the floor this weekend at the Palestra just four blocked shots shy of the Quakers record for blocks in a season, which stands at 52. Unfortunately, if Owens accomplishes this feat, he will have few words for his adoring fans at the post-game press conference. Due to the fractured jaw that he suffered against the Big Green Saturday, Owens' mouth is wired shut. Penn was without its pivotman against Villanova and his absence was certainly felt in the paint. The Wildcats came away with nine blocks, seven from Malik Allen alone, while the Quakers did not reject a single shot. "We would have loved to have had him [against Villanova] but we didn't," Penn coach Fran Dunphy. "His pain is not as bad as it was. It's the stuffiness in his nose which keeps him from breathing well that is really the critical issue. If the congestion clears up, he's going to be OK. We'll see how far he can go on Friday and Saturday. We're not sure. There are still a lot of unanswered questions at this point." · Too often, the charity stripe has been the place where Penn generously gives points to its opponent while squandering opportunities to increase its own point total. With Owens sidelined against Villanova, Penn struggled to draw fouls inside. "We need to get our shots at the line," senior Paul Romanczuk said. "We could have been more aggressive and drawn more fouls." Whereas the Wildcats were able to capitalize on 74.2 percent of their attempts for 23 points, the Quakers earned only five points on 10 attempts. But more attempts do not necessarily spell more points for the Quakers. Penn is shooting just 65.9 percent from the line and sits sixth in the Ivy League in that department. "We work on free throws in practice and some of the guys don't even make them then," junior Michael Jordan said. "I mean, it's something you have to practice on your own. You have to get out there and shoot them. It's definitely a problem because when games come down to the wire, it comes down to free throws. If you can't make them, you're not going to win." But as much trouble as Penn has been having from the line, this weekend's opponents -- Cornell (63.9 percent) and Columbia (61.9 percent) -- are even less accurate. · While the Quakers may be faltering from 15 feet, Penn's perimeter shooters have certainly found their rhythm from behind the arc. The Red and Blue are 13th in the nation and lead the Ivy League in three-point shooting at 39.1 percent, due mainly to Jordan (38.1 percent), Matt Langel (43.0 percent) and Jed Ryan (42.6 percent). Frank Brown's hot hand has also helped the Quakers, but in limited minutes. The senior leads the Ivies at 52.4 percent from downtown, but he has only attempted 21 shots. Treys are hardly a new weapon for Penn, though. The Quakers were third in the country last year at 42.4 percent. · In compiling their 18-5 record, the Ivy League-leading Quakers have averaged 70.3 points per contest while holding their opponents to 60.3. Their .783 winning percentage places them 20th in the nation and they rank 13th in scoring defense. With their final appearance at the Palestra steadily approaching, Dunphy and the Quakers hope that Penn fans will flock to see the first-place squad in action. "We need student support as best we can get it. I can't tell you the value that it gives to these guys as they go through their playing careers here," Dunphy said. "I think that they appreciate the student support even more than the everyday fan that comes and watches us because it's their peers and they really want to feel like they're doing something for the institution." "I would love for the fans to come out in full effect because this is our last home weekend," Romanczuk said. "I would love it if this gym were packed every night that we came out because the crowd plays a big factor. When we're out there, it's great to hear them yelling and screaming for us." In addition to honoring the Penn seniors and their families in the final home game this Saturday, the 1979 Quakers -- who made the Final Four -- will also be recognized on their 20th anniversary season.

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