Princeton University Athletics
Princeton Pulls Out Thriler in a Jammed Jadwin
August 18, 1999 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 20, 1999
PRINCETON, N.J. - The record crowd of 1, 222 that packed in Jadwin Gym on the third annual Jam Jadwin Night got its money's worth and then some. Princeton used two overtime periods to defeat defending Ivy champion Harvard 51-48 tonight. The Tigers got a little help from Pennsylvania, as the Quakers defeated Dartmouth 80-77 in overtime at the Palestra to leave Princeton in sole possession of first place in the League standings.
The first half brought a very tight ball game with neither team leading by more than four. Jessica Munson (So., Norristown, Pa.) hit a three-pointer with 44 seconds remaining to give Princeton a 21-19 lead at the break.
With Harvard leading 23-21 four minutes into the second half, the Tigers went on a 9-2 run to take a 35-27 advantage, the biggest lead of the game. The Crimson came right back, and a Kelly Kinneen jumper at the 6:48 mark pulled Harvard within three. Courtney Egelhoff tied the game at 40 each on a three pointer with just under five minutes to play in the second half. Maggie Langlas (Jr., Missoula, Mont.) hit a lay-up to give the Tigers a two-point edge, but that was erased as Sarah Russel connected on a jumper to knot the score at 42. Neither team was able to score in the final 3:29 forcing the five minute overtime period.
In the first overtime period, Princeton took the first lead 44-42 on a layup by Lea Ann Drohan (Sr., Ballston Lakes, N.Y.) at the 2:32 mark. That remained the score until Harvard's Jennifer Monti hit a fade-away 12-foot jumper with 4.2 seconds on the clock. The Tigers were unsuccessful on their final attempt, and the crowd prepared for the second overtime.
Kate Thirolf (Jr., Rockville, Md.) put Princeton ahead on a three-point jumper only 37 seconds into the period. A Langlas trey gave Princeton a six-point advantage with 1:05 to play. Monti connected on a shot from long range to pull the Crimson to within three at 51-48 with 44 seconds remaining. Despite missing the front end of two bonus situations, the Tigers held on for the three-point victory in dramatic fashion.
Thirolf led the Tigers with 17 points and 10 rebounds to go with four steals and four assists. Langlas chipped in 14 points, eight boards and five steals while Munson added eight rebounds and four assists.
Egelhoff led the Crimson with 19 points. Monti added 10 points and four assists. The loss leaves Harvard with an 8-14 overall mark, 5-6 in the League.
The Tigers (14-9, 9-2 Ivy) will return to action on Friday, Feb. 26, as they travel to Ithaca for a game with Ivy opponent Cornell. Game time is set for 7:00 pm.