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Princeton University
Ursinus
Record Night Sends Men's Hoops Into Ivy Season On Strong Note
January 27, 2003 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 27, 2003
Box Score
PRINCETON, N.J. - Sophomore Mike Stephens recorded 10 assists and Princeton hit an Ivy League record 20 three-pointers as the men's basketball team sprinted back from its exam break to defeat Ursinus 99-56 in front of 2,331 fans at Jadwin Gym. The Tigers made their final nonleague game of the season a memorable one, scoring its most points in a contest over the span of 964 games.
Princeton set a trio of team records in the win, its sixth of the season and second in a row. The 20 three-pointers tops the previous high of 17, set in a 1997 win over Yale. Princeton also had 31 assists on its 35 baskets. The Tigers' previous high in assists was 27, set in a 1976 win over Brown. Nine different players had at least one three-pointer, another Princeton record. "After close to three weeks off, we needed to get out and play," head coach John Thompson said. "That's a pretty good team we played. They will do well in their conference. On the offensive end, I thought we were terrific. The 31 assists is what I'm most happy about. That's a pretty number."
Will Venable led Princeton with 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting, including a 3-for-4 night from beyond the arc. Spencer Gloger became the second fastest Princeton player to reach 100 career three-pointers (41 games). He made five three-pointers in the win and dished out six assists, a career high. Ray Robins had 15 points, while Konrad Wysocki added 11 points. The fifth scorer in double digits was freshman guard Scott Greenman, who scored a career best 11 points.
The double-digit number that was most impressive on the stat sheet was Stephens' 10 assists. It was the most by any Princeton player since Kit Mueller recorded 11 assists in a 1991 win over Brown.
"Mike has helped us all year," Thompson said. "He has logged quality minutes all season."
The entire offense flowed smoothly, especially in a 53-point first half. The Tigers shot 73.1% from the field (19 for 26) in those first 20 minutes, including 68.8% from beyond the arc (11 for 16).
Ursinus led the game 13-11 at the 15:54 mark, but a three-pointer by Venable gave the Tigers a lead they would never relinquish. The lead peaked at its final total of 43 points on a late three-pointer by sophomore Matt Verbit. The lone excitement in the final seconds was to see if Princeton would reach the 100-point mark for the first time since 1971, but Luke Friedman's final attempt sailed long.
Princeton, which will begin the defense of its 2001 and 2002 Ivy League championships Friday night against Harvard, has shot 60.4% (32 for 53) from beyond the arc in its last two wins.