The Quakers Hold Off the Tigers for a 61 – 60 Victory
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 2/7/2026 –
Penn and Princeton, Princeton and Penn. The Rivalry in the Ivy League and among the fiercest in the nation. This game was the 254th meeting between them. The series is now tied at 127 each. The coaches at each institution Fran McCaffery and Mitch Henderson have been a part of the series in their playing days. Notable games and players adorn the Palestra walls as part of the memories. The senior class at each school remembers how many wins and losses they had against each other. The game on Saturday afternoon joins a long list of memorable contests. The University of Pennsylvania breaks a streak of 14 consecutive losses to Princeton 61 – 60 in a game that went down to the last shot. The Tigers missed, the Quakers win at an excited Palestra.
TJ Power hit a three-pointer from the deep corner to provide the Red and Blue with the winning points with 1:19 seconds remaining. AJ Levine defended the Tigers Dalen Davis on the last possession of the game. A jumper that fell short.
The present Penn team is getting to understand the meaning of the rivalry, and got a tutorial in what this game means.
“You definitely on the court especially in moments like that,” said Power, a junior forward for the Quakers. “It’s like a different kind of gravity on the floor. Last night we had a chance to talk with a lot of the alumni, former players and that’s when I got a sense for this rivalry, what it means to past players, students, everything, coaches. It was cool to get some background and context heading into the game. I think it motivated a lot of our guys.”
Many attended the meeting honoring former coach Fran Dunphy. Stories flowed. There was a reference to when Chuck Daly and Digger Phelps were at Penn. Phelps got his freshman together and said that we brought you here for one reason and that was to beat Princeton.
End of the Game
The Red and Blue led for the entire second half and by double-digits. The Orange and Black stayed in contention and chipped away pulling to within a single-point with 1:41 on a basket by Malik Abdullahi. On the ensuing possession Levine got the ball to Power deep in the right corner who lifted a three-pointer that was good to give Penn a 61 – 57 lead.
“It’s kind of a blur, said Power on his made shot. “We got some dribble penetration, they kicked it to AJ and he made the unselfish play and pass it up for a great shot. That shows our what our team chemistry is like. Once he loaded me up with that shot and I felt confident in it going in.”
The Tigers answered with a three by Davis. The gap was one-point. On the next possession Penn forward Ethan Roberts missed a jumper, Abdullahi rebounded for Princeton. It set up the last 21 seconds.
The Tigers looked for the winning basket. Davis looked for the shot, Levine looked to deny. A final step back by Davis was short of the mark. The Horn sounded, Penn won.
“I feel like I put everything into that last stop at the end,” said Levine. “Once it missed, it was the biggest relief ever. We finally beat them. So I was really excited that he missed and happy with my effort.”
Now it is only fitting that the teams are tied at 4 – 4 in the Ancient Eight, both sitting in a four-way share of third place in a league where only the top four go to Ivy Madness.
Up Next
Both Penn (11 – 10, 4 – 4) and Princeton (8 – 15, 4 – 4) host Cornell and Columbia in an Ivy Weekend.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@phillycollegesports
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