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Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Idaho (Montana Tournament)
Women's Hoops Fall Short Against Idaho
December 29, 2003 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 29, 2003
Box Score
Missoula, Mont. - Becky Brown, Casey Lockwood and Katy O'Brien each scored in double figures as Princeton fell to Idaho, 62-54 in the consolation game at Montana's Dahlberg Arena. The loss dropped the Tigers to 2-9 overall and gave them a last-place finish at the Lady Griz Holiday Tournament.
Princeton entered the game against Idaho knowing it needed to stop Emily Faurholt, the nation's leading scorer with 25.2 points per game. After the first seven minutes, Faurholt had seven points and the Vandals led 15-4.
Casey Lockwood put the Tigers on the board with a putback at 17:50 and Maureen McCracken hit a turnaround jumper the next time down the court but Idaho then went on an 13-2 run. Faurholt scored seven straight points and Taylor Benson drilled two outside shots to give the Vandals a 20-6 lead at 9:11. Princeton shuffled its lineup, using three guards, two swing players and no centers to help the Tigers get back in the game with five points in one possession. Katy O'Brien hit a three-pointer and was fouled after the shot, giving Princeton the ball back for a jumper by Lockwood.
Suddenly the Tigers had momentum for the first time this game. O'Brien and Katy Digovich each nailed a three and Becky Brown scored on two post moves to put Princeton within five, 26-21, at 2:43. Idaho led 31-25 at the half behind Faurholt's 17 points and six rebounds. Lockwood and O'Brien each had six in the first. The Tigers out-rebounded the Vandals 22-17 but had 11 turnovers at the half, almost twice as many as the Idaho (six).
After scoring Idaho's last five points of the first half, Faurholt came out as strong in the second and the Tigers' frustration showed. Princeton grew more aggressive on both sides of the court, especially on the offensive end as they pounded the ball inside and drew fouls with drives to the hoop.
Faurholt picked up her fourth foul and was sent to the bench with 6:31 left in the game when Idaho led 53-48. But Idaho was far from a one-dimensional team and continued to hold its lead. Heather Thoelke led the Vandals with six points while Faurholt sat.
Idaho led 58-51 with just under a minute to play before Montana native Ali Smith hit a key three-pointer in front of her home crowd. With 0:50 to play, the Tigers were within four. But when Princeton was forced to foul, Thoelke made 4 of 4 free-throws and Idaho finished ahead, 62-54.
Lockwood, Digovich, O'Brien and Brown combined for all of Princeton's points in the second half, including 10 by Brown who finished with a team-high 14 points and eight rebounds. O'Brien and Lockwood each had 12 points while adding eight and six rebounds apiece. Digovich finished with nine points and six rebounds.
Faurholt had a game-high 26 points off 11-for-20 shooting. Thoelke added 14 points and seven rebounds and Benson had 10 points and six boards.
The Tigers finished with 43 rebounds to the Vandals' 37 but had eight more turnovers and six fewer assists. Princeton shot 34% from the field, 30% behind the arc and a season-best 86% from the line. Idaho shot 37% from the field.
Princeton's next game will be at home on Saturday, Jan. 3 against Lafayette.