Men’s basketball (3–10 overall, 0–0 Ivy League) continued its multi-game slide on Wednesday night, falling 59–56 to the Merrimack Warriors (16–34–1, 11–19 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) after the go-ahead shot from sophomore forward Malik Abdullahi rolled off the rim. This marks seven straight losses for the Tigers by close margins, continuing their longest single-season losing streak since the 2017–18 season.
The Tigers were once again without top scorer and junior guard Dalen Davis, who injured his right angle in a Nov. 20 game over Northeastern. Abdullahi returned from injury and recorded eight points in 19 minutes, while junior guard Jackson Hicke led Princeton in scoring with 21 points on 8–12 shooting.
“We’re getting better, but we gotta get healthy,” said Head Coach Mitch Henderson ’98 postgame.
Princeton opened the scoring with a layup from sophomore forward CJ Happy, but then missed their next five field goals despite grabbing four rebounds. It wasn’t until first-year guard Sebastian Whitfield made a three-point jumper that the Tigers were able to capitalize with points from the field and take the lead 7–5.
After falling behind, Tigers would retake the lead behind a three-ball from sophomore guard Jackson Stanton, bringing the score to 14–13, but it would only last for a few seconds until Merrimack scored to retake the lead 15–14.
By halftime, the Warriors led 32–29. The Tigers rebounded well in the first half but were unable to get shots to fall.
Coming out of the half, Princeton kept the margin close and was able to regain the lead behind a three-pointer from Hicke. Princeton held the lead until 13:49 remaining when the Warriors went on an eight-point run to go up 43–36.
Free throws and rebounds got the Tigers back into it, bringing the game within three points with 7:40 remaining. The Tigers defense stood tall and did not give up a point for nearly seven stifling minutes, giving the offense room to breathe and eventually putting them up 11 points to go up 50–46.
The Warriors came back to tie, but thanks to some Merrimack foul trouble, the Tigers were able to regain the lead through clutch free-throws from Stanton and Abdullahi with 44 seconds left in the game.
“[Malik] gave us a chance to win, he made some huge plays,” Henderson said, reflecting on the end of the game.
After a foul led to two made free-throws and a 57–56 lead for Merrimack, Princeton had the ball with eight seconds and a chance to score the go-ahead points. A layup from Whitfield did not land, but the Tigers got a lucky break with the ball going out of bounds after being last touched by a Warriors defender.
A lengthy review allowed Princeton to draw up a play to deliver the game-winning shot. With just three seconds on the clock, the Tigers inbounded the ball to a double-covered Abdullahi, whose layup attempt rolled off the rim.
“They just scored some really important buckets at the end, and we just couldn’t come through with [the win],” Henderson said.
The Warriors led in several key statistics, including assists, steals, and blocks. They had half as many turnovers, and shot nine percent better than the Tigers, who managed to only shoot only 30 percent from the field. The bright spot for Princeton was rebounds, as they grabbed 19 more than Merrimack. But failing to convert those into points proved to be the deciding factor.
The Tigers have two remaining non-conference games. After a much-needed 12-day break, the Orange and Black return against the Temple Owls (5–5, 4–1 American Conference).
“We’re figuring out ways to lose right now … we’re what our record says we are, but we’re confident we can get better,” Henderson said.
Zeke Arnold is a Sports contributor for the ‘Prince.’
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
Read More
Dean of Graduate College hosts TigerSide Chat to celebrate 125th anniversary
Ambre Van de VeldePriestley highlighted Princeton’s continued leadership in graduate education, noting four new PhD programs just within the past three years: biophysics, bioengineering, quantum science, and material science engineering.
Priestley highlighted Princeton’s continued leadership in graduate education, noting four new PhD programs just within the past three years: biophysics, bioengineering, quantum science, and material science engineering.
By the Numbers: Winter sports fall into swing and history on ice
Harrison BlankThis week in By the Numbers, track & field and swim & dive set new program records and hockey had a historic weekend.
This week in By the Numbers, track & field and swim & dive set new program records and hockey had a historic weekend.
‘I thought someone was playing a prank on me’: Princeton releases early action decisions for the Class of 2030
Hayk Yengibaryan and Benedict HooperConsistent with past practice, the University did not release data on the number of students admitted through Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA).
Consistent with past practice, the University did not release data on the number of students admitted through Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA).