HACKENSACK, N.J. (Interstat) — Katie Collins recorded a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds, and the Penn women’s basketball team used a dominant first quarter to set the tone in a 78-57 victory over Maryland-Eastern Shore on Monday afternoon at the Rothman Center.

The Quakers, improving to 9-3, erupted for 25 points in the opening period while holding the Hawks to just six, establishing a 19-point lead that Maryland-Eastern Shore would never seriously threaten. Penn’s defensive intensity was evident from the start, forcing the Hawks into difficult shots and capitalizing on the other end.

Collins, a 6-foot-1 junior from Manasquan, New Jersey, anchored the effort on both ends. She added five blocked shots and two assists in 31 minutes, impacting the game far beyond her scoring. Her presence in the paint was a primary factor in Penn’s nine total blocks and the Hawks’ overall shooting struggles, as Maryland-Eastern Shore finished just 19 of 64 from the field, a 29.7% clip.

Penn’s backcourt provided consistent offensive support. Saniah Caldwell, a sophomore from Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, scored 17 points and dished out four assists. Simone Sawyer contributed 11 points and six rebounds, while Tina Njike added 12 points. Mataya Gayle facilitated the offense with a game-high five assists to go with eight points.

The most important stretch of the game was undoubtedly the first quarter, where Penn’s defense completely stifled the Hawks. Maryland-Eastern Shore missed its first 11 field goal attempts and committed five turnovers before finally scoring its first basket, a layup by Ashanti Lynch with 17 seconds left in the period. By then, the Quakers had built a 25-2 lead, fueled by transition opportunities and inside scoring. Collins was instrumental during this run, recording two blocks and four defensive rebounds to ignite the Penn break.

Maryland-Eastern Shore, which fell to 7-9, showed resilience after the disastrous start. The Hawks outscored Penn 20-19 in the second quarter, cutting the deficit to 44-26 at halftime. Dayshawna Carter, who led the Hawks with 13 points, and Kaliya Perry, who added 12 points and six rebounds, helped keep the margin from ballooning further.

The Hawks never got closer than 16 points in the second half, as Penn consistently answered any modest run with scores of its own. The Quakers maintained their efficiency, shooting 47.4% from the field and converting 18 of 24 free throws. Penn also won the possession battle, scoring 78 points on 74 possessions for an offensive rating of 104.8, while the Hawks managed only 57 points on 75 trips.

For Maryland-Eastern Shore, Carter added four rebounds and three assists to her team-high scoring. Desi Taylor finished with eight points. The Hawks struggled to find any sustained offensive rhythm, finishing with an offensive rating of 76.0 and only seven assists on their 19 made baskets.

Penn’s victory continued a strong non-conference showing as the team heads into Ivy League play. The Quakers have now won three of their last four games. Maryland-Eastern Shore, which has lost three of its last four, will look to regroup quickly as it faces a quick turnaround.

The game was played in front of an announced crowd of 139 at the Rothman Center, a neutral site for the Quakers. According to Interstat’s ELO system, Penn entered the game with an 85.2% probability to win, a projection borne out by the lopsided early play and final result.