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Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Duquesne
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Cowher Hits Decisive Layup in Hometown as Tiger Women's Hoops Tops Duquesne, 62-59
December 22, 2006 | Women's Basketball
PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- For the first time this season, Meagan Cowher didn't score at least 10 points. But it was her last two points that counted the most as the Princeton women's basketball team knocked off Duquesne in Cowher's homecoming to Pittsburgh, 62-59.
Princeton improved to 5-7 while Duquesne dropped to 5-6 on the year.
With 42 seconds left, following a Princeton timeout, Princeton began the game-changing possession that ended with Cowher turning and dropping in a layup with 24 seconds remaining.
"We were trying to show some patience," Princeton head coach Richard Barron said about the play. "Meg stepped out looking for the ball. It was a great read, great pass, great cut. It certainly wasn't something drawn up."
"It's one of those shots you don't have time to think about," Cowher said. "When I needed to make one, I did."
Cowher finished 4 for 11 from the field, hitting the only free throw she attempted to finish with nine points. It was the first time all season and in 17 games dating back to the 2005-06 season that Cowher didn't reach double-digits. She also missed the last 10:53 of the first half after picking up her second foul of the game at that point.
On Duquesne's next possession, following three timeouts called by both teams, the Dukes' Kristi Little tripped and called a timeout her team didn't have, resulting in two free throw attempts and the ball back to the Tigers. Ariel Rogers hit one of two and Duquesne's last-second shot attempt from midcourt after a Tiger turnover failed, giving Princeton the game.
Princeton was down for most of the contest, save a period of less than two minutes early in the first half and the game's last 24 seconds.
It was the first time in a Princeton game this year that the team winning the rebounding battle did not win the game. Duquesne had 33 boards to Princeton's 23, including 14 offensive rebounds and 18 second-chance points to three for the Tigers.
After leading 7-4 less than five minutes into the game, Duquesne went on a 13-3 run to take a 17-10 lead nearing the midway point of the half. The lead grew to as much as 11 at two points before the break and stood at 14 with 18:09 left in the game. That's when Princeton began chipping away.
Princeton outscored Duquesne 21-10 over the next 10 minutes, bringing the deficit to three at 53-50 with 8:21 left. It was the closest margin since 7:55 remained in the first half.
The teams then traded baskets until a bucket by Casey Lockwood with 5:41 left brought Princeton to within two at 59-57. It was the last field goal of the game until Cowher's game-winning shot.
The teams combined to miss their next seven shots during the field-goal drought. Two free throws from freshman Jillian Schurle, who led Princeton with a career-high 12 points, tied the score at 59-59 with 3:28 left.
Princeton then survived three straight misses from the field thanks to a pair of Duquesne turnovers, the second of which led to the possession that produced Cowher's decisive layup.
NOTES/ADDITIONAL QUOTES
Princeton had been 0-7 when losing the rebounding battle entering the game, and 4-0 when winning it.
Princeton tied the series at 1-1 with Duquesne after a 1983 loss on a neutral court.
A handful of Pittsburgh Steelers players and team chairman Dan Rooney, a Duquesne graduate, attended the game in support of head coach Bill Cowher and his daughters, Meagan and Lauren. The players in attendance included linebacker Joey Porter and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
"I don't think anyone can be used to Joey Porter screaming things at you from the stands," Meagan Cowher said of the outspoken linebacker. "(The players' attendance) speaks to the relationship (Bill Cowher) has with his players."
The Princeton win preceded an important game Sunday in Pittsburgh for the Steelers, who host the Baltimore Ravens as Bill Cowher's team tries to keep its playoff hopes alive.
"When we'd get a win, he'd follow suit. Now the pressure is on him (to follow)," Meagan Cowher said of occurrences that happened regularly during the middle of the 2005-06 Princeton season when the Tigers were on their way to the doorstep of an NCAA Tournament berth and the Steelers were moving toward a Super Bowl title.
The game was the women's basketball program's first-ever appearance in Pittsburgh as head coach Richard Barron attempts to schedule a game in the home area of each player during her career.
"It's probably the only time we'll play in front of our family and friends while we're in college," Meagan Cowher said of the rare home visit.
Barron used 13 players against Duquesne. He has used between 11 and 17 players in every game this year.
Princeton shot 48.9 percent from the field, rebounding from a season-low 31.7 percent against St. Francis (N.Y.) last Saturday that was the team's lowest since Dec. 20, 2005 at Tennessee. Princeton has shot in the 48-50 percent range in four out of the last six games.
Only one Tiger (Jillian Schurle) was in double-figures for just the second time this season (Nov. 18 at Minnesota). However, four other Princeton players had nine points.
Princeton had more free throw attempts than its opponent for just the fourth time in 12 games this season. Princeton is 3-1 in those games.
After having only one game of its first 10 decided by single-digits, Princeton's last two have been decided by one (St. Francis, a 54-53 loss) and three points (tonight).
Princeton tied its season low with 14 turnovers (Maine, Nov. 19).
Princeton's 56.3 percent three-point accuracy was its best of the season. The nine threes Princeton hit (of 16 attempted) was the second-most on the year.