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Princeton University Athletics
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Tigers Meet Northwestern State in Blue & Gold Classic Consolation
December 02, 2006 | Men's Basketball
Princeton's seven-game season-opening journey away from Jadwin Gym finally ends Saturday night in Milwaukee, when the Tigers face Northwestern State in the consolaiton game of the Pepsi Blue & Gold Classic. Game time at the Bradley Center is 6:30 ET (WBUD-AM 1260, GoPrincetonTigers.com).
The Tigers (4-2), who saw a four-game winning streak come to an end with a 57-50 loss to North Dakota State Friday night at the Blue & Gold Classic, will play their first home game Wednesday night against Lehigh. In the meantime, Princeton will have to deal with a Northwestern State team that was an NCAA cinderella a year ago, defeating Iowa in a first-round game.
The Demons (4-3) lost to host Marquette 83-67 in Friday's other first-round game, though Northwestern State trailed just 36-32 at halftime and had just a single-digit deficit for much of the second half.
Princeton led 23-8 and 26-12 in the first half Friday against North Dakota State, but the Bison scored 14 straight points in a four-minute stretch surrounding halftime to tie the game, then went on a 14-3 second-half run to take the lead for good. Mike Nelson's three-point shot with 1:09 left was the final dagger, giving the Bison a 51-45 lead.
Junior Kyle Koncz continued his hot shooting from behind the arc Friday night, making three first-half three-pointers and scoring a team-high 13 points. Koncz had made at least three treys in every game this season and is shooting 20 for 36 (56%) from behind the arc overall.
The Tigers have won a game at their last five in-season tournaments featuring a consolation/championship format. The Northwestern State game will be the fifth for Princeton on a neutral court out of seven games this season.
TODAY'S NOTE OF THE DAYOn The Rebound In its four wins this season, Princeton has outrebounded its opponents 99-94. In its two losses this season, the Tigers have been outrebounded by a combined total of 71-33.
EIGHT MORE THINGS YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUTInjury Report Senior forward/center Justin Conway left Friday night's game late in the second half with an injury to his abdomen. Conway is unlikely to play Saturday against Northwestern State.
Tournament Tested Princeton has won a game in each of its last five appearances in an in-season four-team tournament with a consolation/championship format.
Shooting Star Kyle Koncz has made 20 of his 36 three-point attempts this season (56%). He has made at least three three-pointers in all six of Princeton's games.
More Shooting Stars Princeton is averaging 8.5 three-pointers per game and shooting 40% from three-point range. Northwestern State is averaging seven three-pointers per game and shooting 43% from behind the arc.
Point Man Freshman Marcus Schroeder has just 12 turnovers in 238 minutes this season, an average of one turnover per half.
All For Neutrality Saturday's game against Northwestern State will be Princeton's fifth game at a neutral site in seven games this season. The other two games came on the road.
On The Defensive Princeton's opponents have combined for 48 assists (eight per game) and 99 turnovers (16 per game) this season.
Homeward Bound Princeton will play its first home game Wednesday against Lehigh. The Tigers played their first seven games either on the road or on neutral courts.