Philadelphia, PA - The La Salle women's basketball team will head to the Finneran Pavillion on Sunday for another Big 5 matchup as the Explorers take Penn, looking to build momentum after Wednesday's first conference win over VCU.
Scouting the Quakers
Penn comes into the contest at 6-3 after a dominant 58-35 win over Maine earlier this week. It was the first time the Quakers held a Division I opponent to 35 points or fewer since January 2023. Through nine games, four Penn players are averaging at least 9.6 points, led by senior guard Simone Sawyer at 11.3 per game. Sophomore forward Katie Collins follows with 10.7 points, and leads the team in rebounds (7.6) and three-point percentage (44.4). Sawyer put up 21 against Maine while junior Tina Njike added 12 points and nine boards.
Veteran head coach Mike McLaughlin continues to anchor the program with one of the most decorated résumés in college basketball. Across his career, he owns a 665–236 (.738) record with 14 conference titles, six 30-win seasons, 21 20-win campaigns, and 20 Conference Coach of the Year honors. At Penn specifically, he has tallied 258 wins, four Ivy League championships, three NCAA Tournament appearances, and 33 All-Ivy selections since 2009. He is also the fastest coach in NCAA history to reach 400 wins.
All-Time Matchup
The Quakers hold a narrow 10-9 edge since 2006, including wins in five of the last six matchups. La Salle fell 74-63 in last year's meeting, but had three players in double figures: Ashleigh Connor (13), Aryss Macktoon (12), and Anna Przyszlak (10).
Przyszlak'd In
Senior Anna Przyszlak is coming off a standout performance against VCU, setting career-highs with 15 points and three made threes while doubling her previous high in attempts. She added six rebounds and finished second on the team in scoring.
Explorers' Block Party
La Salle's rim protection has taken a major leap, averaging 4.1 blocks per game — nearly triple last year's total and currently third in the Atlantic 10. Freshman Amiya Moses leads the effort with 1.1 blocks per game in just 10 minutes per outing. Redshirt freshman Kiara Williams and sophomore Joan Quinn each recorded a career-best two blocks against VCU.
Turnover Ratio'd
The Explorers have won the turnover battle in all but two games this season and are 5-1 when committing fewer turnovers than their opponent. The group is averaging 0.6 fewer turnovers compared to last year while increasing their steals by 1.6 per game.
The Q Factor
La Salle remains undefeated when sophomore Joan Quinn scores in double figures. After earning preseason All-Conference recognition, Quinn has delivered with 11.8 points, 3.4 assists, and 2.3 steals per game — all ranking in the top three on the team.
Scoring Spread
Ashleigh Connor, Aryss Macktoon, Joan Quinn, and Kiara Williams are all averaging over 9.5 points per game, making La Salle the only team in the Atlantic 10 with four players meeting that mark.
Not in a Giving Mood
Redshirt junior Aryss Macktoon reached a milestone against Villanova, recording her 100th career steal. She has 28 steals on the season, ranking 12th nationally and first in the Atlantic 10. Quinn and Connor also sit among the league's top six in steals per game, helping power La Salle's disruptive defense.
