Quakers clip Columbia, extend winning streak to nine
The women’s basketball team defeated Columbia 71-67 on Saturday at the Palestra, notching their ninth straight win, tied for the second-longest streak in school history.
Third-year forward Jordan Obi led all scorers with 24 points and also had a game-high 13 rebounds. (Image: Penn Athletics)
Image: Penn Athletics
Twenty-four points from third-year forward Jordan Obi and 21 points from fourth-year guard Kayla Padilla catapulted the women’s basketball team past Columbia 71-67 on Saturday at the Palestra. The victory marked Penn’s nine consecutive win, tied for the second-longest streak in school history.
It was a tight game throughout; the Lions outscored the Quakers 22-19 in the first quarter and the Quakers outscored the Lions 15-13 in the second period. Columbia held a 35-34 halftime lead.
Columbia commenced the third quarter with a 12-3 run and was up 49-39 at the 6:18 mark. The Red & Blue clapped back with a 16-5 run of their own, which gave Penn a one-point, 55-54 advantage entering the final period.
Penn kicked off the fourth quarter on a 6-1 run and took a 61-56 lead with 7:31 on the clock. Two consecutive three-pointers by the Lions’ Kitty Henderson and Paige Lauder put Columbia up 62-61 with 6:29 remaining. The Quakers retook the lead on a jumper from fourth-year guard Mandy McGurk, but another three by Lauder gifted Columbia a 65-63 advantage at the five-minute mark. A jumper by the Lions’ Jaida Patrick extended their lead to 67-63 with 3:43 left in the game.
From left, Head Coach Mike McLaughlin, fourth-year guard Kayla Padilla, President Liz Magill, and Athletic Director Alanna Shanahan celebrate Padilla’s 1,000th point during halftime of the Columbia game. Padilla scored her 1,000th point against Temple on Dec. 11.
The Quakers proceeded to miss three consecutive three-pointers and things were looking bleak—until a hoop-and-some-harm by Padilla trimmed Columbia’s lead to 67-66 with 1:56 remaining. Two free throws by Obi put Penn ahead 68-67 with 56 seconds on the clock.
McGurk made a foul shot with seven seconds left in the game to increase the lead to 69-67. After Columbia’s Davis missed a potential game-winning three-pointer, Obi added two free throws for good measure, which sealed the win.
Obi finished 7-12 from the field, 1-3 from behind the arc, and 9-13 from the charity stripe. She added 13 rebounds, two blocks, one assist, and one steal. Padilla played all 40 minutes and shot 8-18 from the field, 3-9 from behind the arc, and 2-2 from the foul line. She also had five rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Third-year forward Floor Toonders had 11 points, five rebounds, four blocks, and two assists.
Penn held Columbia to 35.5% shooting from the field and 26.3% from the foul line. Entering the game, the Lions were 13-2 and averaging 80.6 points per contest; the Quakers held them to 67.
On Tuesday, Jan. 10, Penn (10-5 overall, 3-0 in Ivy League) takes on Hartford at 7 p.m. at the Palestra.
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