Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Monmouth
Players Mentioned
Women's Basketball Continues to Roll With 84-53 Win Over Monmouth
December 21, 2014 | Women's Basketball
BOX SCORE
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Six different Tigers scored in double figures as the Princeton University women's basketball team improved to 13-0 on the season with a decisive 84-53 victory over in-state rival Monmouth University.
Off to the best start in Ivy League history, the Tigers dropped the Hawks to 5-5 on the year and now hold a 4-3 edge in the all-time series. Princeton returns to action on Monday, Dec. 29 against Hartford at the Fordham Holiday Classic.
Posting a double-double for the second time in as many games, Annie Tarakchian scored 12 points and matched a career-high with 14 rebounds. Blake Dietrick had 12 points and eight assists, while Michelle Miller finished with 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting. Leslie Robinson and Amanda Berntsen each had 11 points, while Vanessa Smith chipped in with 10.
Opening up an early lead, Princeton netted seven of the game's first nine points, going up 7-2 on a Berntsen layup at 17:56. Battling back, Monmouth pieced together a 7-4 spurt, pulling within two on a Sarah Olson basket.
Answering on the Tigers' ensuing possession, Tarakchian buried a triple from the top of the key, kick-starting an 18-0 Princeton run. Berntsen had seven points during the stretch, capping off the surge with a three-pointer from the right wing.
Snapping an 8:04 Monmouth scoring drought, Olson knocked down a triple at 7:25. Trimming the deficit, the Hawks strung together a 10-4 run to pull back within 14. Closing out strong, Princeton outscored Monmouth, 13-3, over the final 4:45 of the half.
After the Tigers netted the run's first five points from the charity stripe, Miller connected on a three-pointer from the right corner. Olson recorded the Hawks' lone field goal during the span with a jumper with 46 seconds left on the clock, but two Miller free throws coupled with a Robinson three-point play staked Princeton to a 46-22 lead at the intermission.
Hoping to cut into the Tiger margin, Monmouth opened the second half on a 10-4 run. Putting the brakes on the Hawks' rally, Robinson went coast-to-coast on the fastbreak before Miller hit her second triple of the afternoon to make it 55-32.
After a Jenny Horvatinovic jumper inside of the 15-minute mark, the Tigers mounted a 14-2 run to put the game out of reach. Smith and Tarakchian combined for 12 of the points during the run as the Orange and Black built a 69-36 advantage with 11:17 remaining in regulation.
Shooting 51.7 percent (30-58) from the floor and 42.1 percent (8-19) from three, Princeton held Monmouth to 30.3 percent (20-66) shooting, which included a 5-for-21 (23.8 percent) clip from long distance. Holding a 45-39 rebounding edge, the Tigers outscored the Hawks 42-14 in the paint and 20-6 in transition.