PHILADELPHIA, PA. 1/12/2019 – The most storied rivalry in the Ivy League, and one of the biggest in men’s collegiate basketball. The University of Pennsylvania vs. Princeton University, this time, one week apart from their last meeting. Much like last time the Tigers earned a 62 – 53 in over the Quakers to go 2 – 0 in the Ancient Eight.
The game would be a grind it out, slogging through the weeds battle as the style of play became a take it to the basket for a layup. And many of the shots went in and out. Neither team shot a high percentage (both just above 32%). It would come down to a matter of execution either on the floor or the free throw line. There, Princeton made 19 of 21 from the line, Penn converted 7 of 13. The Tigers won the rebounds 55 – 34.
“They stepped to the free throw line and made the free throws, and we did not,” Penn Coach Steve Donahue said. “In a game like this it is demoralizing to not get the two points.”
The teams went into halftime tied at 27 despite each squad having dry spells. With the game tied at 41 with 11:31 remaining in the game, The Tigers got a three-pointer from Devin Cannady, who recorded a game-high 20 points and 12 rebounds, which started the crucial stretch of the game. Fellow guard Myles Stephens would score the next 10 Princeton points and the lead stretched to 54 – 47 at the 4:28 mark.
“That’s who he has been in the past two games,” said Cannady about Stephens. “In the past in the Ivy League they had a hard time guarding him. Now he has a focus and a willingness to do things he has not done, making leaps and bounds for our program. He had a double-double (13 points and 10 rebounds) and played fantastic.”
The Tigers got a dagger offensive rebound with 42 seconds to play from Jerome Desrosiers to decide the issue. Cannady stepped to the line and made 4 free throws at the end.
Penn was limited to 6 of 21 from the three-point line. AJ Brodeur lead the way for the Red and Blue with 16 points and 12 rebounds, his fifth double-double of the season and 14th of his career. Antonio Woods had 12 points. Most of the field goals and attempts were inside attempts.
“We are not going to give each other assisted three’s,” Donahue said. “Both teams did a good job in not giving up stand still three’s. That’s how we’re built. They played through the shot clock better. ”
The Quakers are 10 – 6 over the season, 0 – 2 in the Ivy League, and are it the midst of a four game losing streak. Penn will have a chance to break that skid next week playing a Big Five game at Temple.
“Over these four games we are not executing as we can on the offensive end,” Donahue said. “It’s my responsibility to get them to execute as we can.”
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
Be the first to comment