Alarie Named Gator Holiday Classic MVP; Princeton Scores 59-49 Victory Over Chattanooga

Thursday, December 21

Gainesville, Fla.

2:30 PM

Princeton University

9-3

Chattanooga

8-5

Princeton

Chattanooga

Photo by: Cody Chrusciel

Alarie Named Gator Holiday Classic MVP; Princeton Scores 59-49 Victory Over Chattanooga

December 21, 2017 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Bella Alarie and Leslie Robinson recorded double-doubles as the Princeton Tigers (9-3) took down the Chattanooga Mocs (8-5), 59-49, at the Exactech Arena on Thursday afternoon.

Alarie was selected as the Gator Holiday Classic Most Valuable Player (MVP) after averaging 18.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in the squad's two victories. She posted 16 points and 12 rebounds against Chattanooga, earning her 13th career double-double. Robinson had 12 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal, securing All-Tournament team honors with Alarie. It was her 11th career double-double. Tia Weledji added 15 points and three swipes in the win.

Princeton began the game by holding Chattanooga without a basket for the first 3:15. The Mocs got even with the Tigers after three free throws from Lakelyn Bould (5-5) with 4:33 left in the frame. A 7-2 run to complete the quarter gave Princeton a 12-7 advantage after 10 minutes.

In front by two, Weledji and Carlie Littlefield knocked down treys to push improve Princeton's lead to eight (20-12) at the 5:53 mark. Chattanooga closed within four before head coach Courtney Banghart's unit scored the final seven points to go up 29-18 at the half.

Princeton opened the second half with eight consecutive points in two minutes to jump in front by 19, 37-18 (8:09). A three-pointer from Chattanooga only briefly stopped the Tigers' 15-0 sprint as Weledji scored five straight on her own to put Princeton ahead, 42-21 (6:55).

Chattanooga didn't go away, registering 12 of the next 14 points to get back within single digits (46-38) as the fourth quarter got underway (9:02). The Tigers kept the Mocs at bay with five combined points from Alarie and Robinson, but Chattanooga pushed forward, getting as close as seven (51-44) as the clock ticked near five minutes remaining. Princeton put the game by allowing just one basket over the final four minutes, giving the Tigers' their third victory in a row.

The Tigers have won five of their last six games and have not lost two consecutive games all season. Princeton welcomes the UMBC Retrievers to Jadwin Gym on Dec. 30. The contest is scheduled for 4 p.m. and will be streamed on the Ivy League Network.