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Princeton University Athletics
Saturday, January 25
Princeton, N.J.
2:00 PM
Princeton University
vs
Cornell
Photo by: Shelley M. Szwast
Men's Basketball To Host Cornell
January 22, 2025 | Men's Basketball
Game 19: Princeton (14-4, 3-0) vs Cornell (10-6, 2-1) – 1/25, 2 p.m.
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PRINCETON, N.J. – The Princeton University men's basketball team plays its second game of its four-game homestand on Jan. 25 when it hosts Cornell at 2 p.m. inside Jadwin Gymnasium.
On The Hunt For A Four-Peat
The 2024-25 season will see Princeton aim to win its fourth-straight Ivy League title, its fifth in the past nine seasons and its 31st overall.
One Of The Nation's Top Winning Percentages
The Tigers winning percentage of 77.1% since the start of the 2021-22 season ranks No. 10 in the nation for best winning percentage. Princeton has gone 84-25 in that time span.
Impressive Home Record
Since the start of the 2021-22 season, Princeton has gone 44-6 at home for an 88.0 winning percentage.
Impressive Road Record
Since the start of the 2021-22 season, the Tigers rank fourth in the nation for highest winning percentage on the road (72.1%). Princeton has a 31-12 road since 2021.
Last Time Out
Despite trailing by 20 points in the first half, the Tigers rallied to defeat Columbia inside Jadwin Gymnasium on Jan. 20, 71-67. Xaivian Lee, who made the game-winning three-pointer for the second-consecutive game, recorded a near triple-double with 19 points, nine assists, nine rebounds and two steals while Caden Pierce tallied 21 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals. Blake Peters added 14 points and went 4-for-8 from three.
All-Time Series Against Cornell
The Tigers lead 154-85 in a series that began in 1902. In Jadwin, Princeton holds a 90-28 advantage.
All-Time Series Against Columbia Under Mitch Henderson
Under Mitch Henderson, the Tigers are 19-6 against the Big Red.
Last Time They Met
Princeton outlasted Cornell, 79-77, on Mar. 2, 2024. Pierce scored a team-high 23 points on 8-for-12 shooting from the field and 7-for-7 shooting from the free throw line and had eight rebounds, four assists and three steals. Lee finished with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Almost The Second-Winningest Coach In School History
With 246 career victories, Mitch Henderson ranks No. 3 all-time at Princeton for wins. With four more wins he would tie Franklin C. "Cappy" Cappon, who has 250 wins, for No. 2 all-time and with five would earn the No. 2 spot behind Pete Carril.
National Notice
After his 21-point, 14-rebound performance in Princeton's win over Rutgers on Dec. 21, Caden Pierce was recognized nationally. On Dec. 23 he was named Lute Olson National Player of the Week by collegeinsider.com then on Dec. 24 he was honored as one of five Oscar Robertson Trophy National Players of the Week by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA). In addition, Pierce received the Ivy League Player of the Week award for the sixth time in his career on Dec. 23.
Early-Season Watch Lists
Pierce was named to the Lute Olson National Player of the Year Award Early-Season Watch List along with the Lou Henson Mid Major National Player of the Year Award Early-Season Watch List. He was joined by Lee on the Lou Henson Mid Major National Player of the Year Award Early-Season Watch List.
Karl Malone Power Forward Of The Year Top-20 Preseason Watch List
Pierce was one of 20 players named to the Naismith Starting 5 - Karl Malone Power Forward Of The Year Top-20 Preseason Watch List. This prestigious award honors the best power forwards in men's college basketball and is presented by the Basketball Hall of Fame, highlighting the elite talent in the sport.
The 2024 Ivy League Player of the Year
Pierce is averaging 12.2 points on 52.9% shooting from the field and 42.1% from three along with 7.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists through 17 games. His rebound average ranks second in the Ivy League, his field goal percentage seventh, his assist/turnover ratio (1.7) seventh and his steal average (1.2) seventh.
An Active Career Leader
His 25 double-doubles rank No. 18 among active players in NCAA DI men's basketball and his 8.0 rebound average No. 19.
Jersey Jam Most Outstanding Player
Pierce was named Most Outstanding Player at the Jersey Jam after finishing with 17 points on 6-for-11 shooting and five rebounds.
Pierce Milestone Watch
With 951 career points, Pierce needs to score 49 more to reach 1,000. He is also sitting on 81 makes from three, requiring 19 more makes to get to 100.
Generational Rebounder
With 623 career rebounds, Pierce ranks No. 7 all-time at Princeton for most rebounds. Christopher Thomforde '69 ranks one spot above him at No. 6 with 709 rebounds.
Lee's 2024-25 Awards
Xaivian Lee was honored as the Ivy League Player of the Week for the second time this season and the fourth time in his career on Jan. 21 after averaging 26.0 points-per-game, 8.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.5 steals in Princeton's wins over Dartmouth and Columbia. Lee was also named Ivy Player of the Week and Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association (MBWA) Player of the Week on Dec. 10.
Testing The Waters
Lee declared for the 2024 NBA draft but elected to return to Princeton for his junior year. He was one of 45 players selected to attend the NBA G League Elite Camp in May.
Historic Triple Double
Lee became the first Tiger in program history to record a triple double since assists were first recorded in 1974-95 in Princeton's win at Saint Joe's on Dec. 3. Lee tied the team-high in scoring with 18 points on 7-for-14 shooting, had a game and career-high 13 rebounds along with a game and career-high 10 assists.
First Ivy Player To Do It In Years
The last Ivy League player to record a triple double was Yale's Jordan Bruner against Cornell in a double overtime game on Feb. 21, 2020. The most recent Ivy player to record a triple double in a regulation game was the University of Pennsylvania's AJ Brodeur on Nov. 29, 2019, against Arizona.
Historic Assist Numbers
Before Lee, the last Princeton player to have at least 10 assists in a game was Spencer Weisz '17, who had 13 at Liberty on Dec. 10, 2016. His 13 assists against Liberty also marked the last time a Tiger had at least 11 assists in a game, a feat accomplished by Lee on Dec. 21 against Rutgers.
Climbing The Single Season Assists Rankings
Through 18 games, Lee has 100 assists which ranks No. 26 in program history for most assists in a season. In 29 games in 2023-2024, Lee finished with 108 assists, which ranked No. 18 all-time at Princeton for most assists in a season.
Floor General
Lee became the first Princeton player to record seven or more assists in consecutive games since Tosan Evbuomwan '23 had seven against Bucknell (Dec. 7, 2021) and eight at Lafayette (Dec. 11, 2021). Lee had nine assists against Duquense (Nov. 8) then eight at Northeastern (Nov. 10).
Assist Rate Leader
Lee ranks 21st in the nation in assist rate (37.2), a stat that measures assists divided by the field goals made by the player's teammates while he is on the court.
A Top Offensive Rating
Lee ranks 30th in the nation in offensive rating (112.9), a stat that measures personal offensive efficiency developed by Dean Oliver.
Offensive X-Plosion
Lee has scored 30 points or more four times in his career, including against Dartmouth (33) on Jan. 18, 2025, Texas State (30) on Nov. 22, 2024, Harvard (33) on Jan. 6, 2023, and Northeastern (30) on Nov. 25, 2023.
All-Around Game
Through 18 games, Lee is averaging 17.1 points-per-game, 5.9 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.2 steals with a 2.5 assist/turnover ratio. His assist average and assist/turnover ratio ranks second in the Ivy League, his scoring average fifth, his free throw percentage ninth, his rebound average tenth and his steal average tenth.
Xaivian Milestone Watch
With 955 career points, Lee needs 45 to reach 1,000. He is also four three-pointers away from 100, having made 96 in his career.
A Third Ivy League Player Of The Week In 2024-25
On Jan. 6, Dalen Davis joined Pierce (Dec. 23) and Lee (Dec. 9) as Tigers named Ivy Player of the Week in 2024-25. In Princeton's wins over Akron and Kean, Davis averaged 13.5 points-per-game, 4.0 steals, 3.5 assists and 3.0 rebounds. Against the Zips, Davis buried the game-winning three-point shot in the final moments of the contest.
Picking Up Where He Left Off – And Then Some
After averaging double figures over the final 10 games of his freshman season, Dalen Davis is averaging 10.9 points-per-game, 2.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.3 steals. He ranks fifth in the Ivy League in steals and eighth in three-point field goals-per-game (2.2).
Davis' Career Day
Davis scored a career-high 25 points against Northeastern Nov. 10, exceeding his previous career-high of 21, set on in the Ivy League Tournament semifinal against Brown on Mar. 16, 2024. Davis' nine made field goals were a career-high, while his four made three-pointer tied his career-best.
Phil-ing It Up
Philip Byriel had a career night on Dec. 3 in Princeton's victory at Saint Joe's, recording career-highs in points (18) and made three-pointers (six).
Byriel Making An Impact
Byriel has started the Tigers' past 12 games and is averaging 6.6 points-per-game, 2.7 rebounds in 19.5 minutes. He's shooting 39.5% from three.
Blake P3ters
Blake Peters is averaging 9.2 points-per-game and ranks sixth in the conference in three-point field goals-per-game (2.3).
Moving Up The All-Time Three-Pointers Made List
With 164 career three-pointers, Peters ranks No. 8 on Princeton's all-time list. Daniel Mavraides '11 ranks one spot above him at No. 7 with 166 three-pointers.
Ivy League Rookie of the Week
Malik Abdullahi was honored as the Ivy League Rookie of the Week on Nov. 18. In 19.9 minutes-per-game, he averaged 9.5 points on 64.3% shooting and 3.5 rebounds in games against Loyola Chicago on Nov. 15 and Merrimack on Nov. 17.
Making An Impact As A Freshman
Byriel has started the Tigers' past 12 games and is averaging 6.6 points-per-game, 2.7 rebounds in 19.5 minutes. He's shooting 39.5% from three.
The Class Of 2024
Zach Martini is playing a grad year at Rutgers and Matt Allocco at Notre Dame due to an Ivy rule prohibiting grad students.
Watch: ESPN+ | International Feed
Live Stats
Listen
Tickets
Program
Yearbook
Game Notes
X
PRINCETON, N.J. – The Princeton University men's basketball team plays its second game of its four-game homestand on Jan. 25 when it hosts Cornell at 2 p.m. inside Jadwin Gymnasium.
On The Hunt For A Four-Peat
The 2024-25 season will see Princeton aim to win its fourth-straight Ivy League title, its fifth in the past nine seasons and its 31st overall.
One Of The Nation's Top Winning Percentages
The Tigers winning percentage of 77.1% since the start of the 2021-22 season ranks No. 10 in the nation for best winning percentage. Princeton has gone 84-25 in that time span.
Impressive Home Record
Since the start of the 2021-22 season, Princeton has gone 44-6 at home for an 88.0 winning percentage.
Impressive Road Record
Since the start of the 2021-22 season, the Tigers rank fourth in the nation for highest winning percentage on the road (72.1%). Princeton has a 31-12 road since 2021.
Last Time Out
Despite trailing by 20 points in the first half, the Tigers rallied to defeat Columbia inside Jadwin Gymnasium on Jan. 20, 71-67. Xaivian Lee, who made the game-winning three-pointer for the second-consecutive game, recorded a near triple-double with 19 points, nine assists, nine rebounds and two steals while Caden Pierce tallied 21 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals. Blake Peters added 14 points and went 4-for-8 from three.
All-Time Series Against Cornell
The Tigers lead 154-85 in a series that began in 1902. In Jadwin, Princeton holds a 90-28 advantage.
All-Time Series Against Columbia Under Mitch Henderson
Under Mitch Henderson, the Tigers are 19-6 against the Big Red.
Last Time They Met
Princeton outlasted Cornell, 79-77, on Mar. 2, 2024. Pierce scored a team-high 23 points on 8-for-12 shooting from the field and 7-for-7 shooting from the free throw line and had eight rebounds, four assists and three steals. Lee finished with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Almost The Second-Winningest Coach In School History
With 246 career victories, Mitch Henderson ranks No. 3 all-time at Princeton for wins. With four more wins he would tie Franklin C. "Cappy" Cappon, who has 250 wins, for No. 2 all-time and with five would earn the No. 2 spot behind Pete Carril.
National Notice
After his 21-point, 14-rebound performance in Princeton's win over Rutgers on Dec. 21, Caden Pierce was recognized nationally. On Dec. 23 he was named Lute Olson National Player of the Week by collegeinsider.com then on Dec. 24 he was honored as one of five Oscar Robertson Trophy National Players of the Week by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA). In addition, Pierce received the Ivy League Player of the Week award for the sixth time in his career on Dec. 23.
Early-Season Watch Lists
Pierce was named to the Lute Olson National Player of the Year Award Early-Season Watch List along with the Lou Henson Mid Major National Player of the Year Award Early-Season Watch List. He was joined by Lee on the Lou Henson Mid Major National Player of the Year Award Early-Season Watch List.
Karl Malone Power Forward Of The Year Top-20 Preseason Watch List
Pierce was one of 20 players named to the Naismith Starting 5 - Karl Malone Power Forward Of The Year Top-20 Preseason Watch List. This prestigious award honors the best power forwards in men's college basketball and is presented by the Basketball Hall of Fame, highlighting the elite talent in the sport.
The 2024 Ivy League Player of the Year
Pierce is averaging 12.2 points on 52.9% shooting from the field and 42.1% from three along with 7.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists through 17 games. His rebound average ranks second in the Ivy League, his field goal percentage seventh, his assist/turnover ratio (1.7) seventh and his steal average (1.2) seventh.
An Active Career Leader
His 25 double-doubles rank No. 18 among active players in NCAA DI men's basketball and his 8.0 rebound average No. 19.
Jersey Jam Most Outstanding Player
Pierce was named Most Outstanding Player at the Jersey Jam after finishing with 17 points on 6-for-11 shooting and five rebounds.
Pierce Milestone Watch
With 951 career points, Pierce needs to score 49 more to reach 1,000. He is also sitting on 81 makes from three, requiring 19 more makes to get to 100.
Generational Rebounder
With 623 career rebounds, Pierce ranks No. 7 all-time at Princeton for most rebounds. Christopher Thomforde '69 ranks one spot above him at No. 6 with 709 rebounds.
Lee's 2024-25 Awards
Xaivian Lee was honored as the Ivy League Player of the Week for the second time this season and the fourth time in his career on Jan. 21 after averaging 26.0 points-per-game, 8.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.5 steals in Princeton's wins over Dartmouth and Columbia. Lee was also named Ivy Player of the Week and Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association (MBWA) Player of the Week on Dec. 10.
Testing The Waters
Lee declared for the 2024 NBA draft but elected to return to Princeton for his junior year. He was one of 45 players selected to attend the NBA G League Elite Camp in May.
Historic Triple Double
Lee became the first Tiger in program history to record a triple double since assists were first recorded in 1974-95 in Princeton's win at Saint Joe's on Dec. 3. Lee tied the team-high in scoring with 18 points on 7-for-14 shooting, had a game and career-high 13 rebounds along with a game and career-high 10 assists.
First Ivy Player To Do It In Years
The last Ivy League player to record a triple double was Yale's Jordan Bruner against Cornell in a double overtime game on Feb. 21, 2020. The most recent Ivy player to record a triple double in a regulation game was the University of Pennsylvania's AJ Brodeur on Nov. 29, 2019, against Arizona.
Historic Assist Numbers
Before Lee, the last Princeton player to have at least 10 assists in a game was Spencer Weisz '17, who had 13 at Liberty on Dec. 10, 2016. His 13 assists against Liberty also marked the last time a Tiger had at least 11 assists in a game, a feat accomplished by Lee on Dec. 21 against Rutgers.
Climbing The Single Season Assists Rankings
Through 18 games, Lee has 100 assists which ranks No. 26 in program history for most assists in a season. In 29 games in 2023-2024, Lee finished with 108 assists, which ranked No. 18 all-time at Princeton for most assists in a season.
Floor General
Lee became the first Princeton player to record seven or more assists in consecutive games since Tosan Evbuomwan '23 had seven against Bucknell (Dec. 7, 2021) and eight at Lafayette (Dec. 11, 2021). Lee had nine assists against Duquense (Nov. 8) then eight at Northeastern (Nov. 10).
Assist Rate Leader
Lee ranks 21st in the nation in assist rate (37.2), a stat that measures assists divided by the field goals made by the player's teammates while he is on the court.
A Top Offensive Rating
Lee ranks 30th in the nation in offensive rating (112.9), a stat that measures personal offensive efficiency developed by Dean Oliver.
Offensive X-Plosion
Lee has scored 30 points or more four times in his career, including against Dartmouth (33) on Jan. 18, 2025, Texas State (30) on Nov. 22, 2024, Harvard (33) on Jan. 6, 2023, and Northeastern (30) on Nov. 25, 2023.
All-Around Game
Through 18 games, Lee is averaging 17.1 points-per-game, 5.9 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.2 steals with a 2.5 assist/turnover ratio. His assist average and assist/turnover ratio ranks second in the Ivy League, his scoring average fifth, his free throw percentage ninth, his rebound average tenth and his steal average tenth.
Xaivian Milestone Watch
With 955 career points, Lee needs 45 to reach 1,000. He is also four three-pointers away from 100, having made 96 in his career.
A Third Ivy League Player Of The Week In 2024-25
On Jan. 6, Dalen Davis joined Pierce (Dec. 23) and Lee (Dec. 9) as Tigers named Ivy Player of the Week in 2024-25. In Princeton's wins over Akron and Kean, Davis averaged 13.5 points-per-game, 4.0 steals, 3.5 assists and 3.0 rebounds. Against the Zips, Davis buried the game-winning three-point shot in the final moments of the contest.
Picking Up Where He Left Off – And Then Some
After averaging double figures over the final 10 games of his freshman season, Dalen Davis is averaging 10.9 points-per-game, 2.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.3 steals. He ranks fifth in the Ivy League in steals and eighth in three-point field goals-per-game (2.2).
Davis' Career Day
Davis scored a career-high 25 points against Northeastern Nov. 10, exceeding his previous career-high of 21, set on in the Ivy League Tournament semifinal against Brown on Mar. 16, 2024. Davis' nine made field goals were a career-high, while his four made three-pointer tied his career-best.
Phil-ing It Up
Philip Byriel had a career night on Dec. 3 in Princeton's victory at Saint Joe's, recording career-highs in points (18) and made three-pointers (six).
Byriel Making An Impact
Byriel has started the Tigers' past 12 games and is averaging 6.6 points-per-game, 2.7 rebounds in 19.5 minutes. He's shooting 39.5% from three.
Blake P3ters
Blake Peters is averaging 9.2 points-per-game and ranks sixth in the conference in three-point field goals-per-game (2.3).
Moving Up The All-Time Three-Pointers Made List
With 164 career three-pointers, Peters ranks No. 8 on Princeton's all-time list. Daniel Mavraides '11 ranks one spot above him at No. 7 with 166 three-pointers.
Ivy League Rookie of the Week
Malik Abdullahi was honored as the Ivy League Rookie of the Week on Nov. 18. In 19.9 minutes-per-game, he averaged 9.5 points on 64.3% shooting and 3.5 rebounds in games against Loyola Chicago on Nov. 15 and Merrimack on Nov. 17.
Making An Impact As A Freshman
Byriel has started the Tigers' past 12 games and is averaging 6.6 points-per-game, 2.7 rebounds in 19.5 minutes. He's shooting 39.5% from three.
The Class Of 2024
Zach Martini is playing a grad year at Rutgers and Matt Allocco at Notre Dame due to an Ivy rule prohibiting grad students.
Players Mentioned
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