Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Hampton
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No. 22 Women's Basketball Escapes With 75-63 Victory Over Hampton
January 06, 2015 | Women's Basketball
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HAMPTON, Va. – Overcoming a slow start, the 22nd-ranked Princeton University women's basketball team closed out its non-conference schedule with an unblemished 16-0 mark thanks to a gritty 75-63 victory over Hampton University.
Led by Vanessa Smith's career-high 19 points and 11 rebounds, the Tigers erased a seven-point first half deficit to improve upon its Ivy League record start. Knocking down 7-of-9 shot attempts, Smith added three assists in 23 minutes.
Michelle Miller chipped in with 15 points and five boards, while Blake Dietrick had 12 points and four assists. Upping her career total to 993, Dietrick is now seven points away from becoming the 22nd player in program history to reach the 1,000-point plateau. The senior co-captain will get another chance to join the 1,000-point club on Saturday, Jan. 10 against Penn.
With Princeton trailing 9-5 after a Malia Tate-DeFreitas three-pointer at 17:30, Dietrick knocked down a triple of her own on the Tigers' next possession. The next time down the floor, Amanda Berntsen drove the lane for two to put the visitors in front.
Knotted at 17-17 inside of the 13-minute mark, Tate-DeFreitas hit a jumper that sparked a 9-2 Hampton run. Down 26-19 after a Kenia Cole layup at 10:14, the Tigers faced their largest deficit of the season, matching a seven-point margin they faced against Drexel on Nov. 19.
Clamping down on the defensive end, Princeton held Hampton without a field goal for the final 9:46 of the first half, outscoring the Lady Pirates 14-3 over that span. Smith got the Tigers' run started with a putback of an Annie Tarakchian miss.
After a pair of Tate-DeFreitas free throws, Mariah Smith connected down low to trim the Tiger deficit to 28-23. V. Smith then converted consecutive three-point plays to pull Princeton within one before an M. Smith bucket at 2:27 put the Tigers back on top.
Ahead 33-29 at the intermission, Princeton would stretch its lead to 38-32 early in the second period thanks to a Tarakchian three from the top of the key. Coming right back the Lady Pirates mounted a 12-3 run to pull ahead by three.
Down 44-41 and trailing for the first time in the second half since beginning the second period of its season opener against Pittsburgh behind 20-19, the Tigers reeled off a 13-2 run over the next 4:26 to carve out an eight-point lead. Building on a V. Smith layup at 12:24, Kenya Holland knocked down a baseline jumper to stake Princeton to a 46-44 edge.
After a Tate-DeFreitas basket on the other end, Holland buried a trey from the right corner. V. Smith followed suit with yet another three-point play before Miller knifed into the paint to cap off the Princeton spurt.
Facing a 10-point deficit with just three minutes on the clock, Hampton's Kyani White converted an old-fashioned three-point play of her own. Piecing together an 8-2 run, the Lady Pirates got as close as 66-62 with 1:40 left, but V. Smith once again attacked the paint, laying it in for two while drawing a foul.
After V. Smith knocked down the ensuing free throw to put Princeton up seven, the Tigers ensured there would be no comeback, sealing the game by going a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe in the final minute.
Shooting 45.6 percent (26-57) from the floor, the Tigers were 31.6 percent (6-19) from three-point range. Limiting Hampton to 31.7 percent (20-63) shooting and a 26.9 (7-26) clip from long distance, Princeton finished the game with a 45-37 rebounding advantage.