In the midst of an 18-day respite, the women's basketball team is exactly at the midpoint of its schedule. To a pessimist, the season is half-over; to an optimist, however, it is only half-begun.
After a disappointing and inconsistent start, Princeton (3-10 overall, 0-1 Ivy League) has provided its critics — who picked the team to finish last in the league — with plenty of material.
It is far too early, of course, to nail the coffin on the Tigers' hopes for the year, as it is their league performance that matters most. Depending on the outcome of their remaining 13 league contests, they will either erase or reinforce the frustrating memories of their first 13 games.
The bulk of Princeton's league schedule begins the second weekend of intersession with home matchups against Brown and Yale. Over six short weeks, the Tigers take on each of their rivals from the Ancient Eight twice (except for Penn, whom the Tigers see once more). Here's an early rundown of the competition.
Penn
The Quakers (6-6, 1-0) defeated Princeton, 65-54, last Friday at the Palestra in both team's league opener. The Tigers jumped in front, 18-6, and led by three with just under eight minutes to play before falling apart down the stretch.
Jewel Clark, who averages 19.5 points per game and 9.4 rebounds per game thus far, leads the Quakers. Shutting down the versatile senior, who is comfortable playing anywhere from point guard to center, is the key to stopping Penn.
Brown
The Bears (6-6, 0-0), who are also expected to challenge for the league title, have won four games in a row. They are led by senior forward Nyema Mitchell, who averages 13.8 ppg. Her classmate, point guard Tanara Golston has emerged as a topnotch playmaker, leading the league with 5.6 assists per game.
Yale
After starting off the season with 10 straight losses, the Elis (2-10, 0-0) didn't make their first dent in the win column until earlier this month. For the Tigers to avoid the league cellar, beating Yale is a must — something they did twice last season.
With five returning starters, the Elis had hoped to improve upon their last-place showing of a year ago. But the quintet's experience has done little good. Freshman center Erica Davis has been the lone bright spot, averaging 11.6 ppg and 5.1 rpg.
Dartmouth
The Big Green (7-6, 1-0) sent shock waves through the league earlier this week by winning an overtime thriller against Harvard, handing the Crimson its first league loss in nearly two years. While Dartmouth was picked to finish fourth in the league, the emergence of freshman Elise Morrison has made it the dark horse candidate to take the crown.
Morrison, who exploded for 32 points and 12 rebounds in the Harvard game, is fourth in the league in both categories. She has also blocked twice as many shots as anyone else. Sophomore guards Angie Soriaga and Jeannie Cullen have provided reliable scoring from the outside.
Harvard
Despite the loss at Dartmouth, no one is counting out the Crimson (6-7, 0-1), who was unanimously picked to finish first in the league in the preseason media poll. Harvard boasts the league's top two scorers in forwards Hana Peljto (22.5 ppg) and Reka Cserny (19.7 ppg). Peljto, the reigning two-time Ivy League Player of the Year, leads the league in rebounding, while Cserny leads it in steals.
Cornell
The Big Red (5-7, 0-0), who starts five seniors, was picked to finish just ahead of Princeton at the bottom of the league. Forward Tanya Karcic leads the way with 15.5 ppg and 8.5 rpb, and all three guards average at least nine points.
Columbia
Princeton should also have a legitimate shot to tame the Lions (6-5, 0-0). Columbia relies on an inside-outside combination of guard Sue Altman (16.4 ppg) and center Edytte Key (8.8 ppg, 9.0 rpg).
Before Princeton gets to its league contests, it heads to Colgate (9-5) for one final tuneup on Tuesday, Jan. 27.
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