Olivia Hutcherson scored 19 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and made five steals, while Skye Belker contributed 16 points, including four three-pointers, helping No. 23 Princeton defeat Pennsylvania 69-50 on Friday night, marking their 16th consecutive victory in the series. Under coach Carla Berube, Princeton has yet to lose to Penn, holding a perfect 14-0 record.
Despite trailing 30-28 at halftime, Princeton surged ahead with 24 points in the third quarter to establish a nine-point lead and extended their advantage with an 11-3 run to start the fourth, bringing the score to 63-46. Madison St. Rose also helped the Tigers, adding 15 points and six assists. Princeton, now with a 19-2 overall record and 7-1 in the Ivy League, boasts a 9-1 home record this season and has won 17 of their past 18 games.
For Penn, Mataya Gale and Simone Sawyer each scored 16 points, while Tina Nike secured 10 rebounds and 9 points. The Quakers briefly led at halftime following a 13-2 run, but Hutcherson’s free throw with 7:40 left in the third quarter put Princeton back in front at 35-34.
Looking ahead, Penn gets a week off before facing Cornell on February 13, and Princeton will play at Columbia on the same day.
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Fan Take: This dominant performance by Princeton underscores their growing reputation as a powerhouse in Ivy League women’s basketball, making them a team to watch in the national landscape. Their sustained success not only energizes fans but also helps elevate the profile of women’s college basketball as a whole.
