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Princeton University Athletics
Back To Winning Ways
February 11, 2000 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 11, 2000
Box Score
PRINCETON, N.J. (AP) - Sparked by the return of forward Mason Rocca, Princeton got a career-high 15 points from Ahmed El-Nokali in an easy 72-47 victory over Dartmouth on day night.
Playing its Ivy League home opener, Princeton (12-8, 4-1) rebounded from an upset loss at Yale last week while Dartmouth (6-14, 2-5) had a two-game winning streak snapped and lost for the ninth time in 11 games.
Rocca, Princeton's lone senior and inspirational leader, made his first appearance since undergoing ankle surgery Dec. 29 and had nine points on 4-for-4 shooting, five rebounds and two assists. After having his cast removed Monday, Rocca was projected to sit out this weekend but entered midway through the first half in the midst of a decisive Princeton run.
El-Nokali scored eight straight points to spark a 12-0 run that produced a 12-2 lead. Once Rocca entered, he scored four points in an 11-0 run that upped the Tigers' advantage to 23-4.
Princeton extended its lead to 34-13 at halftime and held its biggest advantage at 70-35 late in the game. The Tigers held Shaun Gee and Greg Buth, who were averaging a combined 34.8 points, to four points, all by Buth.
Spencer Gloger, who missed the Yale loss with a sprained ankle, added 11 points for Princeton. Flinder Boyd led Dartmouth with 11.