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It seems that there are four constants in the world today (to borrow a frequently posted tweet from CBS college basketball insider Jon Rothstein): Death.
Following a heartbreaking loss to Wagner on Saturday, the Quakers managed to rebound with strong performances from its pair of star juniors to notch their first victory of the season against Navy, 57-46.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The past two seasons, Penn basketball has come up short against Wagner when it mattered most, failing to execute with the game on the line and then coming up short in overtime.
But this year’s 64-61 loss to the Seahawks hurts so much more.
The Quakers came out like gangbusters in this one, shooting 11-for-18 in the first half.
In the final few minutes, the Quakers came undone, unable to come away from the road tilt with their first win of the year as the Seahawks took the victory, 64-61. Penn committed 22 turnovers, including a key turnover in the final minute of the game.
From the opening tip, Penn basketball was in an Empire State of mind.
The Quakers came roaring out of the gate, going on a 14-2 run to start the game against Wagner.
Against a more experienced and talented Lafayette squad that was hot from the start, Penn made an impressive comeback effort that put its full potential on display despite ultimately falling short, 83-77.
However, there will be at least one man in the Palestra on Saturday who has been a part of an incredible amount of Quakers success: Lafayette head coach Fran O’Hanlon.
No. 25 Harvard Crimson
Last Season: 27-5, 13-1 Ivy
Coach: Tommy Amaker, 8th season, 139-70, 67-31 Ivy
Ivy League Media Poll predicted finish: 1st
Last Ivy League Title: 2013-2014
Will win if: They can stay healthy and play up to expectations (or anywhere close). Wesley Saunders and Siyani Chambers give the Crimson one of the nation's best backcourts.
Will lose if: The team’s lack of backcourt depth comes back to haunt it while the team’s frontcourt depth turns out to be more quantity than quality.
Last year vs.
Understandably, the team wants to stress the process and not the results this year. That makes perfect sense with a young roster that was projected to finish seventh in the Ancient Eight in the Ivy preseason poll. But there will need to be results this year alongside the all-important process.