Princeton Tigers Edge Harvard in Overtime Thriller for 14th Straight Win
The No. 20 Princeton Tigers women's basketball team secured a hard-fought 82-79 overtime victory against the Harvard Crimson on Monday. This win extends Princeton's impressive winning streak to 14 consecutive games.
Key Performers Lead the Charge
Madison St. Rose and Ashley Chea each scored 19 points to pace the Tigers. Their offensive efforts proved crucial in a tightly contested match that required extra time to decide the winner.
Olivia Hutcherson contributed 14 points for Princeton. Skye Belker added 13 points, while Fadima Tall recorded 11 points, nine rebounds, and five steals. This balanced scoring attack helped Princeton maintain pressure throughout the game.
A Dramatic Finish in Regulation
Princeton seemed poised for a regulation victory after building a 57-50 lead in the fourth quarter. Toby Nweke scored six points during an 8-2 run that gave the Tigers momentum.
Harvard refused to surrender. The Crimson hit back-to-back three-pointers in the final minute of regulation. The second three-pointer, with just 4.9 seconds remaining, gave Harvard a 64-61 lead.
Ashley Chea answered immediately for Princeton. She drained a clutch three-pointer from the corner with only 0.4 seconds left on the clock. This shot tied the game at 64-64 and forced overtime.
Overtime Dominance Seals the Victory
Princeton seized control early in the extra period. The Tigers scored the first five points of overtime to establish a 69-64 advantage. They maintained this lead to secure the three-point victory.
For Harvard, Karlee White delivered an outstanding performance with 27 points and 10 rebounds. Saniyah Glenn-Bello supported with 16 points, but their efforts fell just short against the determined Tigers.
Historical Context and Rankings
Princeton improved their season record to 16-1 overall and 4-0 in Ivy League play. Their only loss this season came against then-No. 9 Maryland back on November 16.
The Tigers moved up to No. 20 in this week's AP Top 25 poll. This represents Princeton's highest ranking since they finished 13th in the final poll of the 2015 season.
This victory continues Princeton's recent dominance over Harvard. Last season, Ashley Chea hit a buzzer-beating jumper to give Princeton a 52-50 win over Harvard on January 11.
Looking Ahead
Harvard will travel to face Cornell this Saturday as they look to bounce back from this tough loss. The Crimson currently hold a 9-8 overall record and are 2-2 in conference play.
Princeton will hit the road for their next contest. The Tigers will face Brown on Saturday as they aim to extend their winning streak to 15 games.
