PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania women’s basketball team enjoyed a solid win against Maine, triumphing 58-35 at The Palestra. This victory marked the Quakers’ sixth of the season, bringing their record to 6-3, while Maine fell to 3-6.
Key Highlights:
- This 23-point victory became Penn’s biggest win against a Division I foe this season.
- Maine’s 35 points were the least a Division I team has scored against Penn since they held Hartford to just 30 points back in January 2023.
- Penn’s defense shone, converting 14 Maine turnovers into 19 points. They also out-rebounded Maine 44 to 37 and secured eight blocks—tying for the season high.
- Senior players made significant contributions. Simone Sawyer led with 21 points and three assists. Tina Njike was close to a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds, while Katie Collins added a career-high 13 rebounds.
Game Flow:
The Quakers started strong, maintaining momentum from their recent game against then-No. 4 Texas. They established a quick 6-0 lead, forcing Maine to call a timeout early in the match. The Black Bears struggled, managing only three field goals in the first ten minutes and trailing 18-8 at the end of the first quarter.
Sawyer continued to excel, scoring 11 points in the second quarter. Meanwhile, Maine battled to find their rhythm, shooting just over 20 percent from the field and missing all 11 attempts from three-point range. By halftime, Penn led 37-18, showcasing their dominance.
In the third quarter, Maine turned to their bench for support, but only managed to score 11 points. Penn’s strong initial half created a comfortable cushion, as they finished the quarter leading 53-29. The final period was sluggish, with only 11 points scored by both teams.
Looking Ahead:
The Quakers will face city rival La Salle on Sunday for the Toyota Women’s Big 5 Classic at Villanova, set to tip-off at noon.
The team’s recent successes highlight their growth. As they move forward, fans are excited to see how their favorite players will perform. Follow Penn women’s basketball on social media to keep up with their journey.
For additional insights and the latest updates, check out Penn Athletics.
