It wasn't always pretty, but the Penn men's basketball team finally recorded its first victory of the season Wednesday night, snapping a program-record losing streak and earning interim head coach Jerome Allen his first career victory.
In a matchup between two statistically-poor teams in Division I this season, the Quakers went on the road to defeat University of Maryland Baltimore County, 82-71.
“I think it’s huge for everybody in that locker room for their mental [standpoint], just believing, and knowing that when we go out there there’s a possibility of us winning a game," sophomore point guard Zack Rosen said.
Rosen, who scored 28 points on 8-for-12 shooting from the field, continues to hold Penn (1-10) together while other scoring options have fallen due to injuries. Leading returning scorer Tyler Bernardini continues to be sidelined with what may be a season-ending injury, and senior Andreas Schreiber, sophomore Mike Howlett, and sophomore Larry Loughery were also unable to play.
The Retrievers (1-13) are a running team that tried to get out in transition, but for the first time all year, the Quakers were able to slow the pace with set plays on offense. On the other end, half of Penn's field goal attempts came from beyond the arc, but Penn shot an efficient 13-for-24 from long range.
Penn will face a much tougher challenge when former coach -- and Allen's former mentor -- Fran Dunphy brings No. 21 Temple to the Palestra Wednesday.
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