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Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Brown
Players Mentioned
Men's Basketball Holds Off Brown, 56-48
February 28, 2009 | Men's Basketball
PRINCETON -- Rookie Douglas Davis had 16 points in his first appearance off the bench this season to help the Princeton men's basketball team to a 56-48 win Friday night on Carril Court.
Sydney Johnson, the Franklin C. Cappon-Edward G. Green '40 head coach of men's basketball, went with size against a Brown team that won by 18 points in Providence two weeks ago, starting the 6-8 senior Mike Strittmatter along with usual starting center Pawel Buczak.
"We wanted to go with a lineup that extended our defensive presence," Johnson said. "We need contributions from everyone."
The Tigers (11-12, 6-4 Ivy) got those contributions from Davis, who had another big shooting night by going 5 for 7 from the field, as well as six points from fellow freshman Patrick Saunders, who has also logged some starts this season.
Princeton was up 25-18 with 8:10 before halftime until Brown (7-18, 1-10) went on a 14-2 run bridging the break. That led to Brown's largest lead of 32-27, but the Tigers responded.
Back-to-back three-pointers from Marcus Schroeder and Dan Mavraides turned the five-point deficit into a one-point lead, and Princeton scarecely trailed thereafter. Up 50-48 with three minutes to go, Princeton benefited from two Brown turnovers and four missed shots from the Bears to seal the game.
Princeton's shooting improved from 34.6% before halftime to 45.8% after the break for an even 40% on the night. Brown dipped from 44.4% in the first half to 24% in the second for 34.6% for the game.
"This is a team that beat us by 18 points," Johnson said, noting that it wasn't Princeton's best game. "It was a win."
The Tigers will hope for more learned lessons to pay off Saturday when Yale visits Carril Court. The Bulldogs outrebounded Princeton by 20 in New Haven two weeks ago, and Brown narrowly won the rebounding battle tonight, 36-33. Chris Skrelja led all players with 16 boards.
Saturday's game will tip at 6 p.m. following a moment to honor Princeton's seniors, Strittmatter and Jason Briggs.