UPSET at the Palestra as Penn Takes down Villanova

Philadelphia: When you think of the history and tradition that comes with college basketball in Philadelphia, you think of the Big 5 and games played at The Palestra, often called the Cathedral of College Basketball. On Monday night, you can add another chapter as the Penn Quakers took on the 21st-ranked Villanova Wildcats.

Before the game, Penn would Honor Mike Jensen, who is retiring from the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Before tonight's Game at the Palestra

They honored @jensenoffcampus who is retiring from the Philadelphia inquirer#Villanova #Penn #Big5 pic.twitter.com/LIJn91aW1Y

— David Malandra Jr (@DaveMReports) November 14, 2023

How the game went:

In the first half, Villanova got the scoring started with an Eric Dixon 3 pointer and then Penn responded with a 7-0 run. From there, the Quakers just made things very difficult and ugly – the Quakers would have a lead of 6 or more points early at three separate times with the last one being 15-9 with 10:24 left. The Wildcats would start to figure things out and cut into the lead, but the Quakers would have an answer and take a 32-30 lead into halftime.

HALF | Penn 32, #21 Villanova 30

Wildcats finally took their first lead of the night in the final minute of the period, but Tyler hit 2FT to tie things then Clark hits one right at the buzzer to put us back in front. He has 12 at the break.#Whānau | #FightOnPenn 🔴🔵🏀 pic.twitter.com/EKMEHOfGxM

— Penn Men's Basketball (@PennMBB) November 14, 2023

In the second half, this game just got more interesting as the Quakers would continue to make things challenging for the Wildcats. The Quakers got the lead up to 11 at 68-57 with 4:02 left, but Justin Moore would not let the Wildcats go down without a fight and made a couple of big shots. It simply would not be enough.

A crowd of 6,723 would see Penn upset number 21 Villanova and they stormed the Palestra court.

They are storming the floor at the Palestra as #Penn takes down number 21 #Villanova 76-72#Big5 #NovavsPenn pic.twitter.com/0Z107h8OsA

— David Malandra Jr (@DaveMReports) November 14, 2023

Postgame:

Villanova Coach Kyle Neptune:

Penn Coach Steve Donahue:

I asked #Penn Coach Steve Donahue about winning the rebound battle in upset win over Number 21 #Villanova at the Palestra pic.twitter.com/yPv5ThV0Tp

— David Malandra Jr (@DaveMReports) November 14, 2023

Final Numbers

What is next:
So what happens next for both teams?

Villanova will attempt to bounce back as they battle Maryland on November 17 at Finneran Pavilion while Penn will build off this upset win with an encounter on the road at UMass on November  18.