PRINCETON, N.J. – Yale's top-ranked defense was too much for Princeton's high-powered offense. The Bulldogs held the Tigers, the Ivy League's top shooting team, to 42.2 percent on their way to an impressive 80-74 victory on a snowy night at Jadwin Gym.
"Our defense had great energy all night," said
James Jones, The Joel E. Smilow, Class of 1954 Head Coach of the Bulldogs. "We were locked in. Our individual and team defense was tremendous."
Offensively, Yale used a balanced attack.
Matt Knowling scored 17 points to lead five Bulldogs in double figures.
Azar Swain and
Jalen Gabbidon each added 14,
Matthue Cotton scored 12 and
Bez Mbeng posted his first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The win improves Yale to 4-1 in Ivy play. The Tigers (5-1) suffered their first league loss.
The Bulldogs (10-9) played a near flawless first half, shooting 51.7 percent, while holding Princeton to 30.8 percent. The result was a 43-26 lead after 20 minutes.
Yale maintained a double-digit lead for most of the second half. There were a few anxious moments in the final minutes. Ethan Wright pulled Princeton within 74-72 with 1:07 left.
Swain, though, answered with a clutch, pull up jumper in the lane. After Tosan Evbuomwan cut the deficit back to two with a driving layup, Mbeng hit two big free throws to push the lead back to four with 19 seconds remaining.
Jaelin Llewellyn then missed a jump shot.
Isaiah Kelly grabbed the rebound, was fouled and hit both free throws to seal the victory.
Llewellyn scored 14 of his team-high 23 points in the second half for Princeton.
The Bulldogs are back home next Friday, hosting Dartmouth at 5 p.m. The game will be televised nationally on ESPNU.
