W. Hoops to go after rare Big Five win

Tonight at McGonigle Hall (6 p.m., PRISM) the Penn women's basketball team will add another chapter to its long Philadelphia rivalry with Temple. Recent chapters have had quite different scripts. After winning its first ever Big Five contest two years ago against the Owls, the Quakers were scorched by 39 points last season. This year, however, both teams are winless in Big Five play. For the Quakers (2-8 overall, 0-2 Big Five) to notch their first City Series win, they must play wiser than the Owls (3-5, 0-2). Wiser because Penn's biggest advantage is its experience. Wiser because the Owls possess an explosive and quick backcourt that can put points on the scoreboard and fans on their feet. The Temple backcourt is led by sophomore point guard Ayana Winston, who received all-state honors in Michigan two seasons ago before missing last year for academic reasons. Winston leads the team in assists and poured in a career-high 23 points in Temple's last game, a victory over UNC-Greensboro. "The perimeter is really our strength because of our quickness," Temple coach Charlene Curtis said. "Winston has a great ability to create, which opens up the wings." Due to their quickness and skills in the backcourt, the Owls favor an up-tempo style triggered by defensive pressure and turnovers. An aggressive full-court press and a stifling man-to-man defense serve as the starting point for Temple's attack. But where the Owls are weak, the Quakers shine. Penn plans to counter Temple's speed with size inside and a well balanced attack led by 6-3 senior Katarina Poulsen. The center is currently fifth in the Ivies in scoring with 14.2 points per game. "Poulsen is certainly our greatest concern," Curtis said. "The inside game is our weakness." The focus on Penn's size inside may also open up shots for junior guards Shelly Bowers and Katina Banks. "I need to post up strong and take the ball to the hole," Poulsen said. "But I also need to be smart with the ball and see open players." Not only do the Quakers need inside scoring, but controlling the paint will also enable Penn to set the tempo and deny Temple the opportunity to run. Poulsen and freshman center Deana Lewis will also play a big role defensively. Not only must they take away the Owls' inside scoring game, but their long arms may be able to block or alter the shots of penetrating Temple guards. This will enable the Quakers to play much tighter defensively and challenge perimeter jump shots. In fact, Penn hopes to cause turnovers by capitalizing on the inexperience of the Owls. "We will definitely pressure their perimeter players," Penn head coach Julie Soriero said. "We have more experience in tight games in front of excited crowds. We have great respect for their shooters and will selectively leave some of their less-explosive players open and put the pressure on them." On paper it is almost a perfect match-up -- Temple's run-and-gun, up-tempo style against Penn's more-balanced attack and experience. Someone will leave McGonigle Hall with their first Big Five victory of the season. In order for it to be the Quakers, they must be wiser than the Owls.