Princeton defeats Penn 78-76
Princeton Upsets Penn in Thrilling Conference Matchup
In a dramatic turn of events, Princeton University (Princeton) edged out visiting Penn State University 78-76 on the road at Jadwin Gymnasium, handing the away team their first conference loss of the season.
The primary storyline of this game was Princeton's remarkable comeback. Trailing by as many as eight points in the first half, the Tigers staged an impressive resurgence in the second half, outscoring Penn 24-16 to take the lead with just over two minutes remaining. Despite a valiant effort from Ethan Roberts (19 points, 4 assists) and TJ Power (13 points, 7 rebounds), Penn was unable to recover from its early deficit.
Jack Stanton led Princeton's charge, pouring in 23 points on 3-7 three-point shooting and making 58.3% of his field goal attempts. Jacob Huggins chipped in with a strong all-around performance, grabbing seven rebounds and contributing five points while dishing out three assists. Jackson Hicke also delivered an eight-point, four-assist effort off the bench.
The home-court crowd at Jadwin Gymnasium witnessed Princeton's 15-point lead at one point, but Penn's determination kept them within striking distance until the final seconds. The difference between these two teams on the night was their shooting percentages: Princeton shot a respectable 60.6% eFG%, while Penn struggled with only 50%.
This outcome has significant implications for both teams. For Princeton, which had been riding high after an early-season slump, this victory cements its position as one of the conference's top contenders. Conversely, for Penn, which had entered this matchup undefeated in conference play, this defeat may prove to be a turning point in their season.
With only several weeks left until the postseason, every conference win matters. Both teams will need to respond positively to these results and maintain their momentum if they are to achieve their respective goals: Princeton looks to continue its ascent as one of the top contenders, while Penn seeks to rebound from this setback and stay ahead in the conference standings.
Game Stats:
Princeton (HOME) Game Stats
* Field Goals: 28/52 (54.0%)
* Free Throws: 15/23 (65.0%)
* Turnovers: 10
* Largest Lead: 15
Penn (AWAY) Game Stats
* Field Goals: 26/57 (46.0%)
* Free Throws: 19/19 (100.0%)
* Turnovers: 13
* Steals: 4