Penn might not have played too many games like this in the last four years. But that doesn't mean Ibrahim Jaaber hasn't. The senior guard played plenty as fast as this one at Penn and in his previous basketball life. "Playing in the parks back home - that's the pace we play at," Jaaber said.

By David Bernstein Staff Writer davidkb@sas.upenn.edu Freshman guard Darren Smith's torn labrum wasn't supposed to derail Penn's game plan against La Salle last night, but it almost did. He had missed several practices after suffering an injury to his shoulder against Seton Hall last month, and didn't log any minutes in the first half after being labeled day-to-day by coach Glen Miller.

Coming into the season, the Penn women's swimming team had a goal: third place or bust. Having only lost to heavy favorites Harvard and Princeton and after beating another third-place challenger, Brown, the Quakers (8-3, 3-2 Ivy) have not disappointed thus far.

M. Soccer's Cepero drafted by pro team Penn senior goalkeeper Dan Cepero was selected in the fourth round of the MLS Supplemental Draft by the New York Red Bulls. Cepero was a unanimous first-team All-Ivy selection this year, He started every game during his junior and senior years, accruing a school record 23 shutouts for his career.

Coming off a third-place finish against Towson and Maryland, the Penn gymnastics team has a chance to rebound in its first Ivy League meet against Yale on Saturday. Yale senior Miki Seltzer leads the Bulldogs into Hutchinson Gym this weekend. Her team came in fourth in its last meet at Rhode Island, where she won the floor competition with a score of 9.

For the first time since 1937, Penn will meet Georgetown in football. The teams will play at Franklin Field on Oct. 6, 2007. Penn has never lost to the Hoyas, holding a 3-0-1 edge in the season series. - Sebastien Angel

When Kristin Lange made her decision to come to Penn, she already knew that her impact on the squash team would be lasting. The casual observer could be excused for not knowing what to expect from the Woodinville, Wash. freshman. But she has proven she is one of the best squash players in the country.

By Brandon Moyse Staff Writer bmoyse@sas.upenn.edu For the women's squash team, anything less than a 9-0 victory over Franklin & Marshall would have been a disappointment. No worries, though, as the No. 1 Quakers (5-0, 2-0 Ivy) delivered last night. Just like last year, they not only defeated F&M; (4-4) 9-0, but all the games went 3-0 in Penn's favor.

By Parisa Bastani Staff Writer pbastani@sas.upenn.edu Given his humble beginnings in Cameroon, La Salle freshman Yves Mekongo Mbala had reason to think he might never start for a Division I basketball program. But after losing three of five starters from last year - including former 76ers forward Steven Smith - that is exactly the role that La Salle coach John Giannini has cut out for him.

Mark Zoller, Ibrahim Jaaber and Stephen Danley, Penn's senior captains, have played a combined 38 Big 5 games. The 11 players on La Salle's roster have played 48 combined - and only five players had any Big 5 experience coming into this season.

Tuesday's headline on the back page of this newspaper read "After two games: Any questions?" in reference to Penn's pair of big wins to start the Ivy League season. Well, as long as you're asking, yes, I have a few. Is the League race over? I agree wholeheartedly that Penn is in the driver's seat in the Ivy League race.

By Eric Karlan Staff Writer karlan@sas.upenn.edu Women's basketball coach Pat Knapp discourages looking at the past, but one has to wonder how many close losses would have swung Penn's way had senior forward Ashley Gray not been ruled ineligible to compete first semester.

Former Penn coach Fran Dunphy was known for his short bench, especially during the Ivy League season. Outside of Dunphy's seven-man rotation, the only player who saw four or more minutes per game last year was Tommy McMahon (8.8 mpg). Coming into this season, new coach Glen Miller seemed bound to switch this top-heavy lineup.

Tune your television to any sports channel in the months of December and January, and you will undoubtedly hear talk of college football and the BCS.

Observers would doubt the ability of No. 20 Franklin and Marshall to upset Penn, the No.1 women's squash team in the country. The doubters are probably right. But that's not stopping the Quakers (4-0, 2-0 Ivy) from taking this match seriously. In fact, they're looking at their visit to Lancaster and the Diplomats (4-3) as an opportunity.

By Andrew Sweet Staff Writer sweetad@sas.upenn.edu

By Krista Hutz Sports Editor hutzkm@sas.upenn.edu In a season where two players have done the lions' share of scoring, it looks like Pat Knapp's beleaguered Quakers are finally getting some help. In its 61-58 defeat of Manhattan (4-13) last night, senior forward Ashley Gray contributed her second double-digit performance in her three games since returning to the team.