It was a difficult encounter in New Haven as men’s basketball (9–20 overall, 5–9 Ivy League) was defeated by Yale (23–5, 11–3) with a final score of 78–53 in the final match of the season. Despite an inspired effort by the Tigers and multiple players scoring in double digits, the Bulldogs had an extremely strong second half surge to secure the win.
“[Our team] got so much better over the course of the season,” Head Coach Mitch Henderson said to The Daily Princetonian. “I don’t know if this game’s reflective of where we are. That’s a really good Yale team.”
Yale quickly showed their defensive strengths, forcing three turnovers from Princeton in the first few minutes and going on a 9–0 run. Sophomore forward Malik Abdullahi got the Tigers on the board shortly after with a layup, and scored two more points shortly after on a post play.
However, the Bulldogs were still in control, as their mobile defense prevented the Tigers from getting close to the basket and forced them to stay largely outside the three-point line. On the offensive side, they also played good team basketball, and were also able to draw frequent fouls.
Princeton soon caught a rhythm, with first-year guard Landon Clark hitting a three to bring the score to 18–11, and junior guard Jackson Hicke draining another triple a minute later with the shot clock winding down to bring the score to within seven. Yale seemed to take back control with an 8–0 run later on, which ended with a dunk by Abdullahi and a timeout called by Princeton, at 29–18 with the Bulldogs leading.
After the timeout, however, the scoring seemed to slow down on both sides as they each attempted to break down the other team’s defense. This stretch was broken by a three by Clark, which was followed by a three and a mid-range spin fadeaway jumper by junior guard Dalen Davis. Abdullahi added another layup, marking a 10–0 run for the Tigers and a score of 29–28, Yale still ahead.
During this period, Princeton’s defense tightened up as well. The Orange and Black were playing more physically, forcing Yale to take low percentage shots. The Tigers even forced a shot clock violation out of the Bulldogs during the 10–0 scoring run, still trailing by one.
Yale snapped the scoring run with a three by guard Trevor Mullin, and a long jumper by Davis ended the half with a final score of 32–30, Yale marginally in the lead. Despite the Bulldogs’ strong start, inspired play by the Tigers had made it an even game. Indeed, Princeton shot 48.1 percent from the field in the first half to Yale’s 34.5 percent, but the Bulldogs led in three-point percentage, free throw conversion and steals. All signs pointed to a closely contested second half.
The second half started similar to the first, with Yale going on an initial scoring run. The Bulldogs opened the scoring with two free throws, and forward Nick Townsend continued their run with a layup over multiple defenders. Another Yale jumper made it a 6–0 run to start, forcing a Princeton timeout soon after.
Clark secured Princeton’s first points of a half with a three shortly after the timeout, but Yale seemed to be back in full control. They were again forcing the Tigers to play outside the three-point line, and had strong post play on the offensive end. Yale went on another 6–0 run before junior forward Jacob Huggins knocked down a three and Princeton called timeout at a score of 44–36.
Shortly after the timeout, both teams found it difficult to score as possessions changed rapidly. However, it was still the Bulldogs who had the upper hand, as they secured free throws and made layups. By the time Princeton called another timeout at about eight minutes in, Yale had outscored them by 21–7 in the half.
Hicke scored a floater soon after the timeout, but the Bulldogs’s speed seemed to overwhelm the Tigers, as turnovers were frequent. For the rest of the half, it was much of the same as Yale outclassed Princeton, securing multiple blocks and hitting important shots. The Orange and Black continued to fight, including a three by Hicke and a handful of free throws, but they were never able to outplay Yale. First-year guard Jake Sussberg made the last bucket of the game, an additional free throw, as the final score was brought to 78–53.
Despite the disappointing end to the season, Henderson is proud of the work the team has done and how they have grown over the course of the season.
“We were constantly having to adjust,” he said after the game. “It was very difficult at times. But I think the key for us was that they just never stopped working. Not one time.”
Henderson has high hopes for next season, citing the strength and potential of the underclassmen as a part of this.
“I really feel good about how [the underclassmen are] all connecting with one another and how they didn’t stop working,” Henderson said. “I think players are made in the spring and the summer, so that’s when, if they are committed to that, we can get a lot better.”
James Li is a Sports contributor for the ‘Prince.’
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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