The Quakers Down The Bulldogs in Overtime Behind a 44 Point Performance by TJ Power
March 15, 2026 –
The University of Pennsylvania prevailed in the Ivy League Men’s Basketball championship game 88 – 84 over the top-seeded Yale Bulldogs. An experienced an all-time performance by junior forward TJ Power who set a tournament record scoring 44 points, but he will be best remembered for his game-tying three-pointer from the right wing with just less than 2 seconds on the clock. This was the first 40 point game in Ivy League Madness history. It will be Penn going to the NCAA Tournament, the fifth school taken to the Big Dance by Coach Fran McCaffery in his first season at his alma mater.
A classic game that causes great celebration for the winners and on the other side a feeling that they were so close.
Going to Overtime
Yale seemed to be in control of the game late in the second half leading 71 – 65 with 3:19 on the clock. Then the Quakers began to chip away at the lead. It was a two-point game at 71 – 69 on a layup by Power with 2:13 remaining. Yale guard Trevor Mullin put the Eli ahead 73 – 69 with two free throws at the 12 second mark. Power answered draining a pull up three as 7 seconds showed on the clock. Mullin sank two more three throws to extend the lead to 75 – 72. Power got the ball to the wing on the inbounds play and sank a memorable shot from distance to send the game to overtime tied at 75.
Overtime and Thrower Time
Five more minutes to see who is going the the Big Dance.
Halfway through Yale got the ball back inside. Casey Simmons gave the Bulldogs their last lead of the game at 78 – 77 on a dunk. Penn took the lead back on two free throws by Power. The Red and Blue would have to play without point guard AJ Levine who fouled out earlier. Cam Thrower entered the game and he had an impact by hitting a three with just under two minutes remaining that extended the lead to 82 – 78. Yale was not going anywhere. Isaac Celiscar nailed a shot from distance. Thrower would respond big time. He drove to the basket, but missed the layup. But got an offensive rebound and hit a put back at the 1:21 mark for an 84 – 81 edge.
The teams fought back and forth with the game still undecided until Penn guard Michael Zazoni sank two free throws for the final points of the game.
What the Numbers Say
In addition to his record setting 44 points Power added 14 rebounds, one shy of his season high. He tied his season-high in minutes played with 43. The presence of Power was necessary as the team played without Ethan Roberts who was out with an injury. He went 14 of 26 from the field and 7 of 14 from beyond the arc, and was a perfect 9 for 9 from the free throw line.
Thrower tied his career-high with 19 points. Thrower and Power were the only Quakers to score in double-figures, but Power scored half of the team total points.
Yale had four players with double-digits scoring lead by Mullin with 22 points. Three other Bulldogs contributed 17 points; Casey Simmons, Nick Townsend, and Celiscar who took down 11 rebounds.
Inside, the Eli had the advantage in points in the paint by a 40 – 28 edge. The Quakers answered scoring 24 fast break points compared to 13.
Penn came into the tournament as the 3-seed, and won both tournament games in overtime.
The Quakers are going dancing for the first time since 2018.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: glenn@phillycollegesports.com
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