.png&width=24&type=webp)
Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Pennsylvania
Senior Special
January 04, 2002 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 4, 2002
Box Score
Philadelphia, Pa. - Senior Lauren Rigney returned from a back injury and posted a career-high 20 points as Princeton cruised to a 66-56 victory over Ivy League rival Pennsylvania at the Palestra on Friday afternoon. The Tigers improved to 7-5 overall and 1-0 in the conference as they snapped Penn's 15-game Ivy League win streak.
The Tigers led early with Allison Cahill and Kelly Schaeffer scoring 11 of Princeton's first 13 points, giving the Orange and Black a 13-9 advantage two minutes into the ballgame. The Quakers answered and took their biggest lead, 21-17, at the 5:10 mark of the first period. Princeton then went on a 16-6 run to end the half and led 33-27 at the intermission. The second half belonged to Rigney, who had missed the previous five games due to back problems. She scored 14 points in a six-minute span, registered three charges, three rebounds, two assists, a blocked shot and a steal with no signs of back pain. Rigney made 10 of 16 field goals and her 20 points tied her previous career high set earlier this year against Santa Clara.
"Lauren Rigney played like a warrior today," says Coach Richard Barron. "She did everything. She took charges, got rebounds, scored points. It was great to see her play the way she did."
Rigney led all scorers with her 20 points. Schaeffer registered her first career double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds while Cahill also finished with 14 points for Princeton. Penn had four players reach double figures, but this season's leading scorer Jewel Clark was held to only four points. Julie Epton led the Quakers with 19 points and nine rebounds.
Today's win broke a five-game Pennsylvania win streak against Princeton and was the first Tiger win at the Palestra since Jan. 4, 1999. The Quakers, who went undefeated in conference a year ago, are now 3-8 overall and 0-1 in the Ivy League.
Princeton returns to Jadwin Gymnasium on Tuesday, Jan. 8 to face Rider at 7 p.m. The Tigers have played their last six games and 10 out of their last 11 games on the road. Princeton is 2-0 at home and has Ivy opponents Harvard and Dartmouth coming into Jadwin next weekend.