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Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Loyola (Md.)
Princeton Uses 27-8 Second-Half Spurt to Run by Loyola, 75-62
December 31, 2004 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 31, 2004
Box Score
Princeton needed a win after a difficult second half in a loss 2,000 miles away less than 72 hours before. Thanks to an outstanding early second-half stretch against Loyola Friday afternoon, the Tigers made sure their losing streak ended at just one.
Matt Sargeant's four-point play started a 27-8 Princeton run that began the second half, a run that eventually gave the Tigers a 24-point lead, and three other Princeton players scored in double figures to go along with Sargeant's career-high 14 points as the Tigers defeated the Greyhounds, 75-62, before 4,010 at Jadwin Gym in a New Year's Eve matinee.
Sargeant, who entered the game with just 22 points in 10 games, scored 12 points in the first 5:50 of the half to help the Tigers (7-4) to a 50-32 lead. The freshman guard hit five of his six shots overall, and 3 of 4 from three-point range, while adding two assists in 25 minutes. "It gave us some momentum to come out right out of halftime and get a four-point play," said Sargeant, who was fouled by Loyola's Brad Farrell while shooting a three-pointer from the corner. "The ball went into the post, there was a double-team, and I had an open shot which I was able to knock down."
Princeton, which led 30-25 at halftime, led 59-35 midway through the second half and took its biggest lead, 70-45, with 5:24 on the final two of Sargeant's 14 points. The Tigers still led by 21 points with four minutes left before Princeton head coach Joe Scott emptied the Tiger bench.
"There was a 15-minute stretch tonight that was fun to watch," said Scott, whose team shot 53% from the field for the game (19 for 36) and made five of eight three-point shots in the second half to pull away. "The ball movement and player movement was terrific and we were able to go on a run."
Loyola (1-8) pulled within 10 points with 15 seconds left in the game thanks mostly to the efforts of junior guard Charlie Bell, who scored 15 of his game-high 22 points in the second half and shot 11 of 12 from the free-throw line. Bell was the only player in double figures for Loyola, which shot 39% for the game.
Judson Wallace had 13 points and a game-high seven rebounds for Princeton, which made 30 of its season-high 39 free-throw attempts on the game. The game featured 57 fouls and 74 free-throw attempts, and three players fouled out of the game.
Scott Greenman made three of his five three-point attempts and added 13 points, while Will Venable had a solid all-around game with 12 points, five rebounds, five assists and a career-high five steals.
All 15 Princeton players that dressed played in the game, with 10 different players scoring. Princeton had assists on 17 of its 19 baskets but committed a season-high 17 turnovers.
Princeton improved to 4-0 all-time against the Greyhounds, who made 25 of their 35 free-throw attempts.