U has won six of seven from Penn State

Preview: The Gophers, who are coming off a 78-74 victory at Purdue on Thursday, return to Williams Arena after three consecutive road games. The Gophers (18-6, 7-4 Big Ten) are looking for their sixth victory in seven games against Penn State under coach Marlene Stollings. The Gophers won at Penn State 91-71 on Jan. 10. The Gophers shot a season-best 57.6 percent from the field in the victory. Penn State (14-11, 5-7), which has lost three of its past four games, is coming off an 80-76 defeat at Iowa on Thursday. The Gophers are 3-1 at home in the Big Ten, while the Lady Lions are 1-5 on the road.

Players to watch: Gophers G Kenisha Bell is one of two players to rank in the Top 35 nationally in scoring and assists. She is averaging 20 points (33rd) and 6.5 assists (17th). Oregon’s Sabrina Ionescu is the other. G Carlie Wagner, who is shooting a career-high 41.9 percent from three-point range, is third in the Big Ten in three-point field goals made (70). Junior G Teniya Page leads the Lady Lions in scoring (18.1). Sophomore guards Amari Carter and Jaida Travascio-Green are averaging 14.7 and 12.4 points, respectively.

Numbers: The Gophers are averaging 84.3 points per game, which ranks second in the Big Ten and fifth nationally. The top regular-season average in program history is 83.6 points per game set in the 2015-16 season.

JOEL RIPPEL