This game was defined by a tremendous surge from Princeton at the end of the first half and beginning of the second. Until that point, the game was competitive and Penn (13-15, 6-8) was verging on cutting Princeton’s lead to single digits. But the hosts went on a 36-8 run, securing their 14th conference victory.
Princeton’s unbelievable run was highlighted by its tremendous defensive performance and hustle, a common theme this season. The Quakers shot just 26 percent from the field and 22 percent from three-point range. Princeton also forced 21 turnovers and accumulated 14 steals.
“This past weekend, we weren’t too happy about the defense that we played, so [coach Courtney Banghart] really got on us and we got on ourselves,” senior center and captain Devona Allgood said. “We weren’t happy with our defensive performance, and so we wanted to make sure that that wasn’t something that was going to hinder us in the future.”
Allgood led the team with 12 points and added five rebounds in the finale. Senior guard Lauren Edwards added 11 points and six rebounds, while the Ivy League’s second-leading scorer and likely Player of the Year, junior forward Niveen Rasheed, added 10 points. Junior center Meg Bowen added 11 points and four rebounds off the bench.
The Tigers showed off their depth on Tuesday afternoon. Rasheed, the team’s leading scorer, failed to score in the first half, but Princeton still managed to score 33 points and build an 18-point lead, thanks in large part to its bench. Seven of the Tigers’ reserves scored in this game, with four accumulating five or more points, including freshman guard Mariah Smith.
“We have a lot of threats between really anybody that [coach Banghart] puts on the floor, and it’s really just a matter of who’s ready to play, who’s got the hot hand,” Allgood said. “We try to find that person ... It’s great to know that we’re a well-rounded team. We have people that can come in off the bench and score for us too, so I think that just shows our depth.”
Having depth will be critical for this Princeton team heading into the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers’ ability to successfully score and build a lead without points from Rasheed is a very positive sign. Additionally, Princeton has recently given some key players — such as Bowen and sophomore guard Nicole Hung — significant playing time. The Tigers’ starters are definitely well-rested and relatively healthy with the NCAA Tournament looming ahead.
Princeton’s conference record of 41-1 over the past three years is the best run for any team in Ivy League history. The team’s juniors and seniors became the first players ever to be a part of two 14-0 seasons.
“Going 14-0 is really exciting,” Allgood said. “It’s not something that happens a lot, so we’re really happy to be able to do that with this team.”
Making the accomplishment even more impressive is the resounding nature of Princeton’s in-conference wins. The Tigers won all of their Ivy League games by at least 12 points, and beat Harvard, the second-best team in the conference, by 28 points on the road.
“Every night could be anybody’s night ... but I think it shows our fight, that we come ready to play,” Allgood said.
Princeton now has 10 days to prepare for the NCAA Tournament, which starts March 17. The Tigers will learn their seed and opponent on Monday.
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