Toole's back, but Klatsky's the PG standout

Although Penn's regular starting point guard Andrew Toole made his much-anticipated return to the Quakers lineup, it was another Penn guard that stole the spotlight last night at the Palestra.

Backup point guard, David Klatsky played 19 stellar minutes for Penn against Florida International, notching a game-high five assists to go along with 9 points.

Most importantly, the steady-handed junior did not turn the ball over a single time in the contest.

"David doesn't start the game, but David's a starter in my mind," Penn coach Fran Dunphy said.

At a critical juncture in the second half, Klatsky proved his mettle as a capable floor leader.

After the Golden Panthers -- on a 5-0 run -- had cut the Quakers lead to 16 points with 10:21 remaining in the game, Penn's talented sixth man went to work.

Following a 30-second timeout by Penn, Klatsky drained a three-pointer off a feed from Ugonna Onyekwe (25 points).

And after forcing a turnover on the next possession by Panthers freshman Carlo Morban -- the Florida International point guard registered a game-high seven turnovers -- Klatsky continued to ignite the Penn offense.

Spotting a seam in the Golden Panthers defense, the junior exploded to the basket, scoring a layup and was fouled in the process by Florida International's Ni Novakovic.

Klatsky converted the free-throw to complete his 6-0 spurt, giving Penn a 61-39 advantage and putting the game out of reach.

"Tonight in the second half at one stretch when it got a bit hairy... [Klatsky] goes three, drives in the lane and gets fouled," Dunphy said. "It was just three terrific plays."

O, and, yes, Toole was back.

With a rousing cheer from the Red and Blue faithful, Toole -- replacing Charlie Copp -- made his re-entry into the Quakers lineup with12:35 left in the first half.

Though he would play only four first-half m,inutes , the electrifying point guard provided a spark for the Quakers every time he touched the ball.

Never short on offensive heroics, on both of his drives to the basket in the first half, Toole drew a foul.

And on his one shot attempt -- a three-pointer -- Toole ripped the Palestra nets with 9:56 remaining in the first stanza to notch his first points in over a month of inaction.

Toole's teammates were more than excited to have their floor general back in the lineup.

"He's a big part of our team," Onyekwe said. "He's one of our leaders out there, getting everyone involved."

Despite starting the second half on the bench, Toole entered the game for a second time with 14:10 left in the contest.

Again Toole provided his usual solid play at the point guard spot, knocking down another three-pointer and playing capable defense -- an integral element that allowed Penn to ice the game down the stretch.

And most encouragingly for Penn, Toole played pain-free.

"I felt pretty good," he said. "I wish I could've been out there a little longer, but I still felt good all around."

Perhaps the only sour note in an otherwise impressive return was Toole's game-high three turnovers.

Although two of his three turnovers came on mishaps by his teammates on clean entry passes -- the first, a miscue by Onyekwe with 10:36 remaining in the first half and the second, a dropped pass by Adam Chubb with 10:53 left in the game -- a trio of turnovers is not what Penn expects from its most capable ball-handler.

Nevertheless, it will be Toole back as the starter when Penn takes the floor on Friday at Dartmouth in the Quakers Ivy opener.

When asked if Toole will be the starter against the Big Green, Dunphy affirmed his faith in the point guard.

"More than likely," he said.

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