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Princeton University
Columbia
Players Mentioned
Women's Basketball Remains Undefeated in Ivy Play with 11th Consecutive Victory at Columbia
February 18, 2012 | Women's Basketball
The Princeton women's basketball team maintained their stance as the top team in the Ivy League, sweeping the season series versus Columbia with an 86-46 victory over the Lions Friday evening in New York, N.Y. The win marked not only the Tigers 11th consecutive victory, but improved the squad to 18-4 overall and a perfect 8-0 in conference play.
Princeton would quickly charge out on a 10-0 run and establish a double-digit lead, 15-4, behind seven points from senior Lauren Edwards to open the game. Columbia's Tyler Simpson would add the first points of the contest at 19:25, but it would be the only lead the Lions would see all evening.
The Tigers showcased moments of brilliance on the floor, as plays worked to perfection from the guards to the posts below the basket; however turnovers were also present in the first half. Despite managing the game and holding a double figure lead, Princeton committed nine turnovers in the first 20 minutes, which Columbia converted into 11 of their 23 first half points.
Laura Johnson capped off the half with a statement, draining a long three-pointer from the top of the key with four second remaining on the clock to send the Tigers into the locker room holding a 45-23 advantage.
Princeton remained in control of the game in the second half, employing both long and short-range jumpers, while forcing the Lions to take off angle attempts. As they continued to add to their swelling lead, turnovers remained a storyline. The Tigers committed 12 second half turnovers to tally 21 in the game.
"Before the game we made some small goals for ourselves that were about us, in terms of rebounding, deflections, how we defended and early offense. We met 80 percent of our goals and that took a whole team effort. Overall, we are a team that turns the ball over. In a dream world we would turn it over less, but until we get more and more comfortable with the varying styles of defense we see it is kind of who we are," said head coach Courtney Banghart.
In the game, the Tigers shot 45.3 percent (29-for-64) from the field, while holding Columbia to 35.1 percent (20-for-57). Princeton won the rebounding battle, 52-27, scoring 24 second chance points.
Headlining the Tiger offense was the senior co-captain tandem of Edwards and Devona Allgood, who finished with 13 and 12 points, respectively. Junior Niveen Rasheed finished with 10 points and nine boards, to lead the team, and Blake Dietrick rounded out Princeton's top scorers with 11 points in 12 bench minutes.
The bench was a major contributor in the game, as Nicole Hung provided a spark for the Tigers in the first half, adding all seven of her points in a six-minute span. Freshman Mariah Smith finished with five points, while classmate Jess Shivers grabbed a career-high five rebounds.
The Tigers head next to Cornell for a Saturday, Feb. 18 meeting at 7 p.m. in Ithaca, N.Y.