Princeton advances to Ivy League Tournament Final

Basketball, College, Princeton University

March 11, 2023

The Princeton women's basketball team faced the University of Pennsylvania Quakers in the Ivy League tournament semifinals as the Tigers picked up the win, 60-47, at Jadwin Gym. The Tigers advance to the finals that tip off on Saturday, March 11.

Kaitlyn Chen finished the game with 24 points. Madison St. Rose finished with 12 points, and Ellie Mitchell recorded a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Highlights

Princeton's first quarter could not have been played any better as their offense and defense were firing on all cylinders. Chen made the first points of the game with a layup. Penn tried to take it back the other way for their own points, but Julia Cunningham came up big with a block. Grace Stone followed with the spin and shot for two to give the Tigers a 4-0 lead early. The Tigers played strong defense to force a timeout by the Quakers with 6:54 left as they were scoreless up to that point. Coming out of the break, St. Rose stole the ball in front of her bench to go in for the uncontested layup. With 2:08 left in the quarter, Penn scored their first points of the game. Mandy McGurk scored a fastbreak jumper to mark the only points of the quarter for the Quakers. The Tigers led 19-2 at the end of the first quarter.

Princeton 14, Penn 0 | 4:00 1st

Defense to offense ‼️ 😍@grace_stone10 ➡️ @julcunningham4

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📊- https://t.co/0WMBYltvlu #GetStops 🐯🏀 pic.twitter.com/QBsoF1RIbe

— Princeton WBB (@PrincetonWBB) March 10, 2023

St Rose and Cunningham contributed four combined points to begin the second quarter. Chet Neweke got fouled and made one of her two free throws before St. Rose stretched out to make another layup. Jordan Obi picked up her third foul of the game after she fouled St. Rose, who made one of her two free throws. In the dying seconds of the quarter, Princeton was called for a shot clock violation, and Penn had the last word of the half as McGurk put up a half-court shot that was nothing but net. Princeton led going into halftime 32-21.

Princeton 38, Penn 28 | 6:54 3rd

"It's Kaitlyn Chen time," @kaitilyn2

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📊- https://t.co/0WMBYltvlu #GetStops 🐯🏀 pic.twitter.com/VR9IFP8Z3l

— Princeton WBB (@PrincetonWBB) March 10, 2023

To start the third, the Tigers immediately lose the ball, and Simone Sawyer takes it and gets the two but missed the and one. Mitchell responded with a fadeaway jumper. The teams continued to trade points throughout the quarter as Princeton's fire started to dim. Kayla Padilla shone for Penn, hitting a three to cut Princeton's lead to 6. In the dying minutes of the quarter, Chen picked up the ball after Penn's turnover and took it home for two points. Princeton led once again 46-40.

Princeton 54, Penn 42 | 4:55 4th @julcunningham4 with the swipe.@kaitilyn2 with the finish.

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📊- https://t.co/0WMBYltvlu #GetStops 🐯🏀 pic.twitter.com/wHaGEs9HLt

— Princeton WBB (@PrincetonWBB) March 10, 2023

Stone picked up a foul at the beginning of the quarter, sparking a reaction from the team and fans with the call as it seemed to be a jump ball. Princeton had a tough couple minutes without scoring but Cunningham broke the drought with a jumper in the paint to force Penn to take a timeout as the Tigers lead by 10 once again. Obi made a seemingly tough layup around Stone, but then Chen answered immediately with a jumper in the paint. With 1:25 left in the game, the Tigers subbed out the whole floor as they held a 12-point lead to ensure their starters were ready for the championship game.