STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (Interstat) — The Penn State Lady Lions, off to a strong 5-1 start, will look to continue their early-season momentum when they host the struggling Yale Bulldogs on Sunday at Bryce Jordan Center.

Penn State returns home following a successful West Coast trip, where they secured an 83-67 victory over San Diego State on Monday. Gracie Merkle dominated in that contest, posting 26 points and 12 rebounds, while Kiyomi McMiller added 19 points and 6 rebounds. The Lady Lions’ only blemish this season is a high-scoring 100-93 road loss to Princeton.

Yale (1-6) arrives with some confidence after snapping a six-game losing streak with a 63-54 win at American on Wednesday. The Bulldogs were led in that victory by Ciniya Moore, who scored a game-high 22 points, and Marisa Chapman, who recorded a double-double with 9 points and 11 rebounds. Kiley Capstraw also contributed a well-rounded line of 12 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists.

The matchup presents a stark contrast in early-season fortunes. The Lady Lions have averaged 85 points per game in their wins, showcasing a potent offense. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, have struggled to find consistent scoring, having been held under 65 points in five of their seven games.

This non-conference game is the first-ever meeting between the two programs. For Yale, it is the final contest of a challenging seven-game road stretch to open the season. Penn State will use the game as a tune-up before a tough stretch that includes a Dec. 14 matchup at reigning national champion South Carolina.