Mid-Monday Mix: Reading days edition

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We inked up the printing press one last time for the semester last night and our Finals Issue hit the streets this morning. While we won't be publishing until the spring semester begins you can get updates right here on The Buzz and at TheDP.com/Sports throughout winter break.

Rundown:

• Men's basketball traveled to sunny southern California to take on a middling UCLA team. Despite a spirited comeback in the final five minutes, the Quakers couldn't turn the tide and fell 77-73. Zack Rosen was uncharacteristically off (it had to happen sometime, folks) but SoCal native Tyler Bernardini stepped up in his place, hitting 8-of-12 from three to notch a career-high 29 points.
• In case you missed it yesterday, Penn basketball alum and Buzz sensation Jack Eggleston gave his take on the game, pulling out Rob Belcore as the unsung hero in Anaheim. The senior — who came to Penn as a heralded shooter, but hasn't shot better than 29 percent from three since his freshman year — was 3-for-3 from downtown. That could bode well for the future, Jack says.
• The Quakers get a nice little rest (oh wait, they have finals too) before hosting Marist at the Palestra on Dec. 23rd. But the real highlight of their upcoming schedule is a trip down to No. 5 Duke.
• We had a short discussion in the office last night about why Williams College calls themselves the Ephs and has a purple cow mascot. The conclusion was that nobody knew. Here's your answer. The Ephs, though, had no answer for Penn women's squash, who swept the match at Ringe Courts this weekend 9-0 — and all nine Quakers won their matches 3-0.
• The men had a tougher go with the Purple Cows, but they too came away with a win, 6-3.
• Women's basketball had a big win over Army Saturday at the Palestra, beating the Black Knights, 70-60, behind 41 points from the duo of Alyssa Baron and Kara Bonenberger. They'll get a break, too, before heading to San Diego for the Surf 'N Slam Classic hosted by San Diego State.
• Penn Wrestling almost pulled off an upset of No. 15 Maryland, but, according to coach Rob Eiter, the Terps' experience helped them come away from the Palestra with a win. It's worth noting that the Quakers are starting freshmen in four weight classes.
• And last but not least, Temple took down Villanova Saturday, and is now on the fast track to another Big 5 championship.