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Princeton University Athletics
Princeton Works OT To Get Thompson First Win
December 01, 2000 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 1, 2000
Muncie, Ind. - The Princeton men's basketball team made up in resiliency what it lacked in experience, and the result was that John Thompson picked up his first win as Tiger head coach.
Princeton rode the least experienced players on its team to pick up a thrilling 65-60 overtime win over Weber State in the opening round of the First Merchants Classic Friday evening. The Tigers advanced to Saturday's championship game (7 p.m.) against the host school, Ball State.
Princeton led 52-44 with one minute to play in regulation, but Weber State tied it thanks to some clutch shooting and defense, to force overtime. Freshman John Hamilton's three-pointer with three seconds left completed the comeback.
Weber State then scored first in OT, but the Tigers came back. With seniors C.J. Chapman and Nate Walton having fouled out, Princeton was led by sophomore Kyle Wente, who eclipsed his previous career total with 13 points, and freshmen Ed Persia and Andre Logan, who teamed with juniors Mike Bechtold and Eugene Baah in the OT. Princeton trailed by one when Logan rebounded a missed three-pointer with a minute remaining in overtime, and he made one of two foul shots to tie it. Baah then made one of two to put the Tigers on top, and a gorgeous driving layup by Wente made it a three-point lead. Baah and Bechtold then sealed it with foul shots.
Bechtold and Wente led Princeton with 13, while Persia and C.J. Chapman had 11 each. Logan finished with nine, while Baah had eight and five rebounds.