Tigers pounce early, sink free throws late

Fifteen years since their last meeting, Penn coach Jerome Allen and Princeton coach Sydney Johnson faced off once again on the Palestra hardwood last night.

This time, however, the former starters traded in their jerseys for more professional attire.

While both are making strides towards restoring two fallen programs, in the end, Allen’s Quakers fell 58-51 to a Princeton team that now stands at second place in the Ivy League.

The 221st meeting in a legendary rivalry brought a familiar situation for Penn (4-17, 3-4 Ivy), as the Quakers’ slow start forced them to play catchup for the rest of the game.

Though the teams were tied 4-4 four minutes in, the Tigers (15-6, 6-1) went on a nine-point streak that would give them their largest lead of the contest.

While Penn kept it competitive — the gap never reached double-digits — the Quakers would never gain an advantage.

“For the most part, we had the brakes on ourselves,” Allen said. “I don’t think that we played with enough hunger or aggression.”

Despite several occasions where it appeared that the Quakers could break out from under their opponents, the Tigers’ strong shooting efforts and solid defensive performance kept them in front.

Sixteen minutes into the game, a five-point run allowed the Quakers to come within two. But a foul shot from freshman Ian Hummer started Princeton on a 7-0 streak of its own and the Tigers entered the locker room ahead 29-22.

While Penn had several open looks in the second half, the team was plagued by poor shooting. It closed the game on a season-low 32 percent from the field after finishing only 8-for-25 in the final twenty minutes.

The Quakers particularly struggled behind the arc, where they hit a mere four of their 18 attempts on the night.

Princeton, on the other hand, finished 50 percent on the night and hit 42.9 percent of its three-point attempts.

Still, with 41 fouls on the night, the game was ultimately won and lost at the line.

Down nine points with 9:42 left, six straight free throws — including four from sophomore co-captain Zack Rosen — drew Penn within three of Princeton and brought the Red and Blue Crew to their feet. With the score 43-40, it looked as if Penn might pull off another victory in a rivalry marked by stunning clinchers.

But a tip-in and subsequent jumper, both from Hummer, put Princeton comfortably ahead. Following a foul shot from each team, Hummer added a layup to restore his team’s nine-point lead.

In the end, it was leading scorer Dan Mavraides who delivered the win for the Tigers. The Princeton junior drained all eight of his free-throw attempts in the final minute as Penn tried to foul its way back into the game.

Despite the night’s disappointing result, the Quakers are still focused on the future.

“Overall, I think we’re moving in the right direction,” Rosen said. “I’m confident that we got the right guy leading us to get to … where this [program] should be.”

While the program may not be brought back to its former glory any time this season, next year is starting to look a little clearer.

Seniors accounted for only four points last night for a Quakers squad that will see all but one starter — and several injured players — return next November.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.