Princeton Women’s Basketball Advances to Championship
In a decisive victory during the Ivy League Tournament semifinals, the No. 23-ranked Princeton women’s basketball team triumphed over Brown with a score of 65-51 on Friday night in Ithaca, New York. The win propels Princeton, the top seed in the tournament with a remarkable record of 25 wins and only 3 losses this season, into the championship game on Saturday. This is a significant achievement for Princeton, as they did not reach the title game last year, marking the first time in the tournament’s history that they missed it.
Game Highlights
The Tigers started strong, dominating the early minutes of the game and quickly securing a lead by scoring 12 of the first 15 points. By the end of the first quarter, the score stood at 23-6, and they maintained a commanding 36-14 advantage at halftime. Princeton’s defense was formidable, limiting Brown to a mere 15% shooting (4 for 27) in the first half while shooting 50% themselves, including hitting six out of eleven attempts from beyond the arc, with contributions from five different players.
Though Brown found their rhythm in the second half, knocking down six three-pointers in the first six minutes of the third quarter, they still trailed 47-32 heading into the final quarter. Despite Princeton’s struggles in the fourth, where they managed only 2 of 12 field goals, they secured the win by converting 7 of 10 free throws. In contrast, Brown’s offense faltered, hitting just 2 of 14 from three-point territory.
Player Performances
For Princeton, Madison St. Rose led the scoring with 18 points, supported by Fadima Tall’s double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds, and Ashley Chea and Skye Belker contributing 12 and 11 points respectively. The Tigers also excelled on the boards, out-rebounding Brown 46 to 33. Brown, seeded fourth in the tournament, relied on Grace Arnolie and Olivia Young, who scored 17 and 13 points, respectively. However, star player Alyssa Moreland, who had been averaging a double-double for the season, was limited to just six minutes due to a leg injury. The Bears struggled offensively, shooting only 29% overall and committing 18 turnovers, with 11 of their 16 field goals coming from three-point range.
Looking Ahead
Princeton now sets their sights on the championship, where they will face either Harvard or Columbia, the winners of the second semifinal. Notably, the Tigers have clinched victory in 21 of their last 23 games, with both losses being incurred against Columbia. The anticipation builds as the tournament progresses, and the championship promises to be an exciting showdown.
