Princeton Falls To UNLV In NIT Opener 84-77

Wednesday, March 20

Princeton, N.J.

8:00 PM

Princeton University

UNLV

Caden Pierce had 20 points in the NIT loss to UNLV.

Photo by: DEENA GHAZZI

March 20, 2024 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Jadwin Gymnasium, with its deep end zones and multi-layered ceiling, has a well-earned reputation for being a tough place for a visiting team to come in and shoot well. For proof, there was the fact that Princeton's men's basketball team was a perfect 12-0 in the building this season, making the Tigers one of only 13 Division I teams who were perfect at home this season.

And then there was the opening round of the NIT Wednesday night, when UNLV came to Jadwin and made itself right at home.

UNLV shot a blistering 61 percent from the field — including a ridiculous 68 percent in the second half — and knocked off Princeton 84-77, ending that home winning streak and the Princeton season, which comes to a close with a record of 24-5 and an outright Ivy League championship.

Princeton fell behind by as many as 15 in the second half after leading by two at the break but refused to go away, getting it within four points but never down to a one-possession game. UNLV made the free throws it needed to hold off the Tigers, who did force 16 turnovers.

It was the UNLV shooting, though, that was just too much. A team that shot 46 percent for the year and 33 percent from three-point range couldn't miss, especially in the second half, making 15 of its 22 field goal attempts after the half. For the night UNLV was just below 50 percent from three, making eight of 17.

Princeton was led by another brilliant performance from Ivy League Player of the Year Caden Pierce, whose stat line was 20 points, six rebounds, three assists and five steals. Zach Martini, in his final game as a Tiger, made five threes and finished with 17 points. Xaivian Lee had 10 points and six assists, and Blake Peters had 12 points.

UNLV's Rob Whaley Jr. led everyone with 21 points on 8 for 8 shooting from the field. The Runnin' Rebels advance to the second round, where they will take on Boston College.