Woolridge, Maddox surprise in Columbia win

“Hopefully those guys that are complimentary players right now can carry that momentum into the fall and winter of next season,” head coach Sydney Johnson ’97 said.

Princeton (6-22 overall, 3-10 Ivy League) faced a tough pair of foes this weekend in Jadwin Gym. On Friday night, Princeton broke its nine-game losing streak against Columbia (14-15, 7-7) but lost a close game to Cornell (22-5, 14-0) on Saturday evening. As the Big Red’s 14th Ivy win, the game completed Cornell’s first-ever perfect league record.

Against Columbia, several Tigers stepped out of the woodwork to provide phenomenal energy and help earn the team a 75-64 victory. Woolridge ? who had scored five points in 11 career appearances ? tripled that total to net 15 points as part of the Tigers’ 61 percent shooting in the first half. In the second half, Maddox ? who didn’t play in the first eight Ivy games this season ? filled in to score 14. Savage led the team with 18 points, while Briggs added 12 and snatched six rebounds.

“We’re getting some guys that can help out Kyle [Koncz] and Noah [Savage],” Johnson said.

Princeton started the game strong with a steal from Woolridge, who scored the Tigers’ first three points with a layup and a successful free throw. The momentum initially seesawed between the two teams, but Princeton took the lead for good a little over five minutes into the competition. Columbia pulled to within four points two minutes into the second half but never got any closer.

The Tigers found less success against Cornell, allowing the Big Red to take home a 71-64 victory.

“We played real tough [Saturday] but we didn’t concentrate,” Koncz said. “They’re a great shooting team, so if you give them the shot, they’re going to knock it down.”

With Cornell at the top of the Ivy standings and Princeton near the bottom, this matchup could have been a blowout, but ? to the Tigers’ credit ? it was not. Princeton led 31-30 at the half, but Cornell snatched the lead back in the first minute of the second. With 13 minutes, 39 seconds remaining, Savage, one of the team’s top scorers, picked up his fourth foul and went to the bench. He returned later in the half but fouled out with a little under five minutes remaining.

Though the game was essentially decided as Cornell led by 10 with 30 seconds on the clock, Princeton’s rising stars provided some exciting final moments. Maddox dunked with 24 seconds left, and Lake sunk one from behind the arc with 13 seconds to go.

Princeton had three players in double digits. Maddox improved on his performance against Columbia, this time scoring a team-high 16 points. Lake ? whose performances against Brown and Yale earned him a spot on this week’s Ivy League Honor Roll ? added 15 points. Koncz netted 10 and grabbed eight rebounds.

Despite the tough loss, Princeton respectfully applauded Cornell for its outstanding season. Johnson began the press conference with congratulations, and Koncz and Savage visited the Big Red locker room after the game to give the team their best wishes for the NCAA Tournament.

“I tip my hat to them,” Johnson said. “I think our players certainly respect what they’ve done.”

Get the best of the ‘Prince’ delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe now »

Sophomore standouts Finley and Gunn were noticeably absent from the court this weekend. Finley rolled an ankle in practice earlier this week, while Johnson declined to comment on Gunn’s lack of playing time.