After starting Ivy League play undefeated, men’s basketball (6–12 overall, 2–1 Ivy League) began its first road trip of conference play, facing off against the Harvard Crimson (9–8, 2–1).
Despite a season-high 19 points from first-year guard Landon Clark, the Tigers struggled to maintain their double-digit first-half lead and narrowly fell to the Crimson, 87–80, in overtime.
With the game underway, Clark quickly answered Harvard guard Chandler Piggé’s layup with a tough turnaround three, the first of many in an upcoming series of back-and-forth conversions. Even with Princeton’s exceptional double-team defense, a deep three from the wing, and layups that sliced through the defense, the Harvard Crimson responded right back, tying the game 12–12 halfway into the first.
From there, the Tigers sought to reclaim the lead, with junior guards Dalen Davis and Jackson Hicke converting layups and a three-point play, respectively. Adding fuel to the fire, Clark began to rain threes on the Crimson, hitting a perfect three-for-three beyond the arc.
With the Orange and Black’s crisp ball movement combined with the Crimson’s struggle to secure rebounds and finish possessions, the Tigers dominated by 13 by the end of the half, 43–30. For now, it seemed like a decisive victory would be in the books. Princeton led the majority of the first, scoring 10 second-chance points compared with the Crimson’s mere three.
Victory and a double-digit lead appeared within reach throughout much of the second half of the game — but it was not to last.
Right out of halftime, Clark drained another kickout three while the Crimson continued to run dry during the first few minutes. In an attempt to recover, the Crimson upped their defensive pressure, applying full-court presses for every Princeton possession; however, it seemed to have no effect at all.
The Tigers just kept drilling shots — with midrange jumpers by sophomore guard Malik Abdullahi and Davis — and fought back with a suffocating defense of their own. It appeared as if Harvard was completely stagnant at both ends of the floor.
With five minutes left on the clock, the Tigers still held a strong double-digit lead, 68–56. But it was in these final minutes that the game’s entire momentum was shifted.
Harvard’s Piggé nailed both free throws of a one-and-one. Moments after, the Tigers gained possession, only to turn it over shortly after. With the Crimson having yet another chance, Piggé found the opening and swished a three from the wing. With that, it was now a single-digit lead.
But it didn’t stop there: The Crimson kept running hot. The Crimson, led by guard Robert Hinton and Piggé delivered a one-two punch, constantly attacking the rim and burying threes from deep. Their sudden offensive surge shook the young team of Tigers, key shots that could have handed Harvard its second conference loss.
With 15 seconds to shoot, Harvard’s Hinton dunked the ball, sending the game to an unfortunate overtime, 72–72.
The struggles continued to linger within the Tigers. Shooting one-for-nine from the field and missing all of their three-point attempts, it was clear the Tigers lost their rhythm. With Hinton’s relentless drives to the basket and mistakes like a wide-open three for Harvard, the Tigers received their first Ivy League loss of conference play.
“We look at where we went wrong and correct it,” Abdullahi told The Daily Princetonian. “We just have to flush it; we can’t dwell on the loss and have it affect the next game versus Dartmouth.”
“We’re back to the drawing boards to prepare for Monday,” he added.
Surrendering 16 points off turnovers and having trouble converting under pressure, the Tigers must be quick to adjust for their next away game. They face off against Dartmouth (8–8, 2–1) at Leede Arena on Monday and are hopeful to restart a streak of victories.
Andrew Kang is a Sports contributor for the ‘Prince.’
Please send any corrections to sports[at]dailyprincetonian.com
Read More
A weekend of narrow margins: Men’s ice hockey falls to Cornell and Colgate
Cadigan PerrielloMen's ice hockey fell in two northern New York matchups last weekend.
Men's ice hockey fell in two northern New York matchups last weekend.
Candidates for GSG elections talk transparency, mental health, budget
Oliver Wu, Amaya Taylor, and Elizabeth HuThe Graduate Student Government (GSG) elections for the Executive Board are ongoing, and for the first time in two years, the presidential position is contested. The Daily Princetonian sat down with those running.
The Graduate Student Government (GSG) elections for the Executive Board are ongoing, and for the first time in two years, the presidential position is contested. The Daily Princetonian sat down with those running.
ICE detains two men in first Princeton raid of 2026
Oliver Wu and Luke GrippoImmigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained two workers in Princeton, the Municipality’s first reported detainments of the year.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained two workers in Princeton in the first reported detainments of the year.