The women's basketball team (3-13 overall) went 0-5 this winter break to extend its losing streak to seven games. Princeton's losing ways have been baffling, as the Tigers have alternated between tight, single-digit losses to Syracuse and Rutgers — two of the top 40 teams in the nation — and a brutal 91-65 loss to Monmouth, a team with a measly 2-10 record.
"Defensively, we need to be more consistent," head coach Courtney Banghart said. "Our offense is going to continue to evolve because I'm giving them a lot more freedom than [they've been] used to over the past couple of years, but our defense has been really inconsistent."
The Tigers kicked off the break with a heartbreaking loss to Syracuse (13-1) on Dec. 16. The lead see sawed between the two teams throughout the game, but senior forward Ali Prichard hit a three with 21 seconds on the clock to tie it up at 75. The Orange got to the free-throw line twice down the stretch, however, hitting a pair of foul shots while the Tigers went scoreless to propel Syracuse to a 77-75 victory.
Syracuse has since captured five more wins, extending its winning streak to 12. The Orange's lone loss this season came at the hands of No. 3 North Carolina in mid-November.
Against Syracuse, freshman guard Addie Micir and senior forward Meagan Cowher led the Tigers with 18 points each. This tally was a career-high for Micir, who knocked down five shots from behind the arc.
Princeton next traveled to Connecticut to face Sacred Heart (8-6). After narrow losses to Big East foes Syracuse and Rutgers — who narrowly topped the Tigers in the final game before winter break — Princeton could not keep the game close against the Pioneers, losing 79-65. Cowher led the team with 20 points, enough to move her from fifth to fourth on the all-time scoring list. Junior guard Caitlin O'Neill contributed 12 points, while freshman guard Krystal Hill added 11, a career high.
The Tigers returned to the court against local foe Rider (5-8) after a week-long holiday hiatus. The Broncs' Amanda Sepulveda netted a game-winning three to defeat Princeton 45-42, making it the second last-minute loss of the break for the Tigers. The shooting was cold while the defense was hot for both teams during the first 20 minutes, as the Broncs led the Tigers 18-13 at the half. Rider maintained a lead over Princeton for most of the game until the closely contested race for the finish. Though the Tigers tied the score three times, they never took the lead.
In their first match up of 2008, Princeton fell to Monmouth (2-10), 91-65. Cowher scored 20 points, and the game marked the comeback of junior guard Jessica Berry. Berry, who was abroad in Oxford this past fall, returned to play 12 minutes and score three points. Though the Tigers were only down by five at the half, Princeton fell far behind in the second, allowing the Hawks to score more points than any other Tiger opponent this season.
"It was a complete defensive breakdown," Banghart said.
Princeton returned to Jadwin Gym to face Southeastern Conference opponent Vanderbilt (11-4) on Saturday. The homecoming was less than sweet, however, as the Commodores made mincemeat of the Tigers in an 81-48 blowout. Vanderbilt — whose victory dropped Princeton to 0-8 all-time against SEC foes — managed to limit Tiger leading-scorer Cowher to 11 points. Though the Commodores had climbed as high as No. 20 in the AP poll, they fell out of the rankings last week after losing to Old Dominion and remained unranked this week.
"Vanderbilt is an SEC team in mid-season form," Banghart said. "They shot 61 percent from the field and 66 percent from the free-throw line — we wouldn't beat a high school team if they shoot that [high] of a percentage. We caught them on a day where they just made a lot of shots."
Despite her less-than-stellar showing against Vanderbilt, Cowher continues to be the driving force for the Tigers. She has garnered 1,423 points over the course of her Princeton career, placing her fourth on the all-time scoring list. Just ahead of her is former teammate Becky Brown '06 with 1,608. In addition, the Atlanta Tipoff Club's Board of Selectors has named Cowher to the Naismith Trophy watch list. Of the 50 women chosen, Cowher is the only player from the Ivy League.
"Meagan Cowher is incredibly versatile," Banghart said. "She's got guard feet but post size."
With Cowher's help, the Tigers will try to turn their season around where it really matters: the Ivy League.
"We're nearing accountability time," Banghart said. "I think we're battle-tested, and we have enough teamwork to solidify us."
Princeton's search for Ivy glory will begin this Saturday with a faceoff against Penn in Jadwin.
Read More
Preview: No. 3 men’s lacrosse plays No. 5 Syracuse in NCAA quarterfinals
Hayk YengibaryanShould the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.
Should the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.
Six for six: men’s and women’s track and field both complete triple crown
Luke StocklessMen’s and women’s track and field each won the Ivy League title this past weekend, capping off a dominant season in which both teams won the triple crown — a feat not seen in 14 years.
Men’s and women’s track and field each won the Ivy League title this past weekend, capping off a dominant season in which both teams won the triple crown — a feat not seen in 14 years.
Nation’s No. 2 miler Mena Scatchard ’25 to transfer to Stanford for graduate year
Luke StocklessThe Tigers’ most decorated distance runner ever has decided to use her final year of eligibility at Stanford after graduating from Princeton this May.
The Tigers’ most decorated distance runner ever has decided to use her final year of eligibility at Stanford after graduating from Princeton this May.