The men's basketball team couldn't miss a three-pointer late in the second half against Louisville — except for its last shot.
Senior guard Ahmed El Nokali missed a leaning three-pointer from 30 feet as time expired, dooming the Tigers to a heartbreaking 64-63 defeat at the hands of the Cardinals at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Ky.
The Tigers had clawed their way back point-by-point from a double-digit deficit in the second half by hitting three-pointers.
Senior forward Mike Bechtold, playing his final game in a Princeton uniform, led the charge with 24 points after he scored 19 in the Tigers' playoff loss to Yale Thursday night. Bechtold was 6-11 from three-point land.
Sophomore guard Ed Persia continued his trend of playing big in the biggest games. He hit a number of clutch three-pointers in the final minutes of the half and finished with 11 points.
Persia's biggest shot, however, was a layup that he somehow kissed off the upper-right corner of the glass with just over 10 seconds left in the game and the Tigers down, 64-63.
His bucket, with the assist going to Bechtold, gave the Tigers their first lead since the first basket of the second half (31-29).
Louisville guard Reece Gaines, who had 23 points for the game, took the inbounds pass and ran it downcourt. He was held up by the Princeton defense, but then Gaines found a seam and took the ball to the hoop.
He stopped inside the free-throw line and knocked down a clutch field goal off the backboard while falling down, giving Louisville a one-point lead.
El Nokali took the Tiger inbounds pass and raced upcourt, but his shot hit the front of the rim and bounced away.
Bird-brained
A combination of bone-headed play by the Cardinals and the sweet shooting by the Tigers got Princeton back into the game.
Louisville inexplicably fouled Bechtold and junior forward Ray Robins on tough three-point attempts late in the game. Bechtold made all three of his free throws, and Robins converted on two of his three chances from the charity stripe. Robins had 15 points on the night.
The Cardinals had more size and athleticism than the Tigers, but they were content to play at a tempo that favored Princeton.
Louisville head coach Rick Pitino was weary of the Tigers going into the game. He knew Princeton's reputation for pushing more talented teams to the limit in the NCAA tournament and the NIT and was determined for the Cardinals not to fall into the same trap.
Louisville didn't allow the Tigers to get many easy buckets on backdoor cuts.
But going into the game, Princeton had attempted 606 three-pointers and just 634 two-point shots.
It was the three-ball that kept the Tigers within striking distance all game long. Princeton shot 12-25 from behind the arc.
Princeton's hot shooting somewhat made up for its disadvantages in terms of speed and height. Seniors Bechtold and El Nokali did as much as they could to give the Tigers a chance at winning, playing 39 and 38 minutes, respectively.
The NIT game was the final one for Bechtold, El Nokali and senior forward Conor Neu.
It was the seventh-straight postseason appearance for Princeton. The Tigers fell to 7-4 overall in the NIT.
Princeton won the tournament at Madison Square Garden in New York City under legendary coach Pete Carril in 1975.
Read More
What’s an offseason? Jackson Green and Jay Mentink on being multi-sport athletes at Princeton
Doug SchwartzPrinceton sophomores Jackson Green and Jay Mentink embrace the challenge of playing two Division I sports while tackling Ivy League academics head-on.
Princeton sophomores Jackson Green and Jay Mentink embrace the challenge of playing two Division I sports while tackling Ivy League academics head-on.
No. 3 men’s lacrosse routs No. 14 Towson 22–12, Mackesy breaks career goals record
Hayk YengibaryanWith the win, the Tigers advance to the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time in 2022. Princeton will take on No. 5 Syracuse in Hempstead, N.Y., next weekend for a spot in the final four.
With the win, the Tigers advance to the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time in 2022. Princeton will take on No. 5 Syracuse in Hempstead, N.Y., next weekend for a spot in the final four.
Senior Coulter Mackesy, Pace Billings ’24, and Sam English ’23 drafted to Premier Lacrosse League
Hayk YengibaryanThe PLL, founded in 2018 by brothers Mike and Paul Rabil, is North America’s professional lacrosse league. The league currently features eight teams that compete in a tour-based format, traveling to different cities each weekend throughout the summer season.
The PLL, founded in 2018 by brothers Mike and Paul Rabil, is North America’s professional lacrosse league. The league currently features eight teams that compete in a tour-based format, traveling to different cities each weekend throughout the summer season.