Il Messaggiere - Tina Njike’s Buzzer-Beater Lifts Penn Past Drexel in Big 5 Opener

Tina Njike delivered a career-defining moment for Penn women’s basketball, sinking a 16-foot jumper with milliseconds remaining to secure a 71-70 victory over Drexel. The win marks the Quakers’ first triumph in Big 5 pod play since 2023, ending a losing streak that had persisted through Njike’s sophomore year.

The game concluded with a chaotic sequence of events that left the outcome in doubt until the final second. With one second remaining on the clock and Drexel leading 70-69, a personal foul was called on Dragons guard Julia Garcia Roig. This infraction awarded Penn possession to senior guard Mataya Gayle with just 1.5 seconds left.

Gayle, a native of Woodstock, Georgia, executed a play rehearsed extensively during preseason practice. She passed the ball to Njike, who was positioned near the top of the key. Njike initially appeared unsteady as she received the pass but quickly recovered her balance and launched a 16-foot jump shot. The ball swished through the net as the buzzer sounded, completing the comeback.

“I honestly am still in shock,” Njike said during the postgame press conference. “I still can’t believe what just happened. We went through that play a lot in practice, and they actually talked about that exact same position happening in practice … I fumbled it a little bit, but I’m happy it all worked out.”

Njike finished with 19 points, tying her career high, and played a pivotal role throughout the contest. She opened the scoring with a layup off an offensive rebound and helped Penn dominate the boards early on. The Quakers secured five offensive rebounds within the first six minutes, extending their time of possession and limiting Drexel’s opportunities to execute.

The victory was not guaranteed until the final moments. Drexel entered the second half with a 34-29 lead and maintained control for much of the game. The Dragons held onto their advantage until junior forward Gabriella Kelley sank a critical three-point shot from the top of the fourth quarter. That basket ignited a Quaker scoring run that gave Penn its first lead since halftime.

The second half was defined by volatility, featuring six ties and five lead changes. With just over a minute remaining and the score tied at 65-65, Gayle capitalized on a defensive rebound from junior forward Katie Collins to break the deadlock. Drexel responded immediately with a driving layup and reclaimed the lead after a foul was called on junior guard Brooke Suttle.

Njike answered with a layup to put Penn ahead 69-68. However, Dragons star guard Laine McGurk tied the game at 70-70 with less than five seconds left, capitalizing on a second-chance opportunity outside the paint with a 15-foot pull-up jump shot.

Despite the late collapse, Penn’s defensive aggression had kept them in contention. The Quakers forced 14 turnovers and converted them into 17 points. They also recorded six steals and two blocks, disrupting Drexel’s offensive rhythm even when their own shooting was inefficient.

Penn’s perimeter shooting struggled significantly against a Dragons team that shot 32% from three-point range and 83% from the free-throw line. The Quakers managed only one successful three-pointer in the first half, with Brooke Suttle hitting the first of the game one minute into the third quarter after nine misses. Penn finished the game shooting just 18% from deep and 29% from the stripe.

However, other starters stepped up to compensate for the lack of outside efficiency. Every starter except Katie Collins recorded double-digit points. Freshman guard Rachel Thatcher contributed 14 points and seven rebounds in her second collegiate appearance, providing crucial support alongside Njike’s career-high performance.

Coach Mike McLaughlin acknowledged the team’s efforts to disrupt Drexel’s flow despite the shooting struggles. “We tried to break the rhythm,” McLaughlin said. “I’m not sure we did a great job of that, but we also started switching some things that we didn’t switch up earlier.”

The win improves Penn’s record to 2-0 on the season. The Quakers now look ahead to their next challenge against Norfolk State (1-1) on Sunday afternoon before returning to the Palestra to host Longwood on Thursday evening.

For Njike, the victory carried emotional weight beyond the standings. “I’m just glad that we were able to do it, and also with this team,” she said. “We’ve worked super hard this preseason. I’m just happy we’re able to come out here and win it, especially after what happened last year.”

The game highlighted a shift in Penn’s identity from the previous season. Last year, the Quakers were known for sharp shooting, with 2026 graduate Simone Sawyer leading the conference in free-throw percentage at 88.1%. While Penn shot 55% from the field and 38% from three in their season opener against Swarthmore, they relied on size, speed, and defensive pressure to overcome inefficiency against Drexel.

The victory serves as a testament to the team’s resilience and preparation. By executing a high-pressure play under extreme duress, Penn avoided an early exit in Big 5 pod play and established a foundation for the rest of their conference schedule.

I.Barone--IM