Princeton pulled off one of the most significant upsets of the season, taking down Yale 76-60 at Jadwin Gymnasium. The Tigers, with a record of 7-13, were not given much of a chance against the 15-3 Bulldogs, but they proved their doubters wrong with a dominant performance. Jackson Hicke led the charge for Princeton, scoring 27 points and grabbing 5 rebounds to pace the Tigers.
The game was closely contested in the first half, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm. Princeton and Yale were tied 22-22 at halftime, but the Tigers came out firing in the second half. They outscored the Bulldogs 54-38 in the final 20 minutes, with Hicke and Dalen Davis combining for 32 points in the period. Davis finished with 17 points, while Jack Stanton added 10 points for Princeton.
Yale, on the other hand, was led by Nick Townsend, who scored 13 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. Samson Aletan added 11 points and 8 rebounds, while Trevor Mullin chipped in with 10 points. However, it was not enough to overcome the Tigers' balanced attack. Princeton's victory was all the more impressive given Yale's strong record and net ranking of 57.
The upset win has real consequences for both teams. For Princeton, it is a much-needed boost to their resume, and it counts as a Quadrant 2 win. The Tigers' net ranking of 237 will likely improve with this victory, and it gives them a chance to build momentum for the rest of the season. On the other hand, Yale's loss is a Quadrant 3 defeat, which could hurt their chances of earning a high seed in the tournament.
This result is a reflection of Princeton's ability to compete with stronger teams. The Tigers' performance will undoubtedly raise eyebrows, and it shows that they are capable of pulling off big upsets. As for Yale, they must regroup and refocus after this surprising loss. The Bulldogs cannot afford to drop many more games like this if they want to stay in contention for a high tournament seed.
The win for Princeton is a major statement, and it will be interesting to see how they build on this momentum. With Hicke and Davis leading the charge, the Tigers may be able to pull off a few more upsets before the season is over. For now, they can savor this big win over a strong Yale team, and it will undoubtedly be a highlight of their season. The resume implications of this result are clear: Princeton has given themselves a chance to make some noise in the tournament conversation, while Yale must be more careful to avoid similar upsets in the future.