Over the course of the season, the Penn women's basketball team has shown an uncanny ability to do what it takes to win. Whether it is shooting, rebounding, or tough defense, the Quakers have stepped up.
The Red and Blue now stands at 3-0, and it has earned every one of those wins, including a double-overtime win at Princeton on Tuesday night. Penn sits in the driver's seat for the title, but it could all come crashing down against Harvard and Dartmouth.
"We definitely know that every single game is a championship game," Penn center Katie Kilker said. "Being a senior, I know that anybody can beat any given team on any given night."
It is odd for a team that's 3-0 and in first place to feel it has something to prove, but in the almost completely even world of Ivy League women's basketball, the difference between first and fifth place is the difference between -- as evidenced by Penn's win on Tuesday at Princeton -- sometimes as little as one free throw.
This weekend Penn (10-6, 3-0 Ivy) finally plays its first home games of the young Ivy League season, as they host Harvard (10-6, 2-1) tonight and Dartmouth (7-8, 3-0) tomorrow. Tonight's is the Quakers' first home game since Dec. 23 against Drexel.
There is no question that both teams have the talent and desire to beat Penn and leave the Quakers' fast start a distant memory.
"We're going in to prove something against Harvard and Dartmouth," Penn sophomore forward Monica Naltner said.
"Obviously being home is a welcome experience for us after being on the road for the last six games and obviously this weekend is a big weekend for us," Penn guard Amanda Kammes added. "Harvard and Dartmouth are always big games for us. Especially with the Ivy League being so tight this year, these are games we need to take care of while we're on our home court."
Harvard and Dartmouth have dominant centers, in Reka Cserny and Elise Morrison, that should pose a serious challenge for Penn's young frontcourt.
Jennifer Fleischer, Penn's strongest post presence, is averaging a league-leading 9.6 rebounds and 9.8 points per game, but was shut down by Princeton.
In that game, Tigers senior center Becky Brown outplayed the junior Fleischer, holding her to no field goals and scoring 20 herself. But, the games this weekend won't be determined just by a one-on-one matchup.
"Our team defense is what will hopefully stop Harvard and Dartmouth," Penn coach Patrick Knapp said. "We will never say 'Fleisch, you've got to stop,' because we need everybody to stop so and so."
The 6-foot-3 Cserny is averaging 8.7 rebounds and a league-high 21.2 points per game. She can rebound and post up, but also likes to step outside and knock down threes.
For Dartmouth, which beat Harvard in their only meeting this season, Morrison leads the club with 14.6 points and eight rebounds per game.
Dartmouth is tied with Penn for first place in the Ivy League. The Big Green's road to 3-0 has been easier than Penn's, including double digit wins over Columbia and Cornell.
The importance of this weekend cannot be understated. Penn will be playing to defend its Ivy League title. Their opponents will be just as determined to knock the Quakers off their pedestal. On Sunday there should be a much clearer picture of who is the best team in the Ancient Eight.
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