FLYING HIGH: Princeton University men’s basketball player Tosan Evbuomwan flies to the hoop last Saturday as Princeton defeated Penn 77-70 in the Ivy Madness postseason tournament semis. A day later, senior star Evbuomwan tallied 21 points with five rebounds and four assists to help the Tigers defeat Yale 74-65 in the final. Princeton, now 21-8, is seeded 15th in the NCAA tourney and will face second-seeded Arizona in a first round contest on March 16 in Sacramento, Calif. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

The third time proved to be the charm for the Princeton University men’s basketball team as it hosted nemesis Yale in the final of the Ivy Madness postseason tournament last Sunday.

After having lost 87-65 at Yale on January 28 and then suffering a brutal 93-83 overtime defeat to the Bulldogs in mid-February which saw Princeton squander a 63-44 second half lead, the Tigers turned the tables on their rival when it mattered most. more

DEFENSIVE STAND: Princeton University women’s basketball player Ellie Mitchell defends a Penn player last Friday in the semifinals of the Ivy Madness postseason tournament at Jadwin Gym. Princeton defeated Penn 60-47 and then went on to rally from an 11-point second half deficit to edge Harvard 54-48 in the final a day later. The Tigers, who improved to 23-5 overall, will now head west to start play in the NCAA tournament where they are seeded 10th and will face seventh-seeded N.C. State in a first-round contest on March 17 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

When the Princeton University women’s basketball team lost its first two Ivy League games this season after having won 42 straight league contests, it looked like the setbacks could herald a changing of the guard at the top of the Ivy heap.

But showing resolve, Princeton responded to the defeats to Harvard and Columbia by winning its next 12 league games to share the regular season Ivy title with the Lions. Last weekend at the friendly confines of Jadwin Gym, the Tigers capped their run at the Ivy Madness postseason tournament, beating Penn 60-47  last Friday in the semis and then rallying from an 11-point second half deficit to edge Harvard 54-48 in the final a day later.

Princeton, who improved to 23-5 overall as it posted its 15th-straight win, will now head west to start play in the NCAA tournament where it is seeded 10th and will face seventh-seeded N.C. State (20-11) in a first-round contest on March 17 in Salt Lake City, Utah. more

CROWD PLEASER: Princeton University men’s basketball player Caden Pierce goes up for a layup against Penn last Saturday in the semifinals of the Ivy Madness postseason tournament. Freshman forward Pierce starred as Princeton edged Penn 77-70 and then went on to defeat Yale 74-65 in the final a day later. The event, which was held at Jadwin Gym for the first time, drew more than 4,000 fans to the women’s semis and final and more than 8,000 to the men’s semis and finals. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

While the Princeton University basketball players were excited to have the Ivy Madness postseason tournament being held on their home court last weekend for the first time, the Tigers knew that playing at Jadwin Gym guaranteed nothing.

Princeton women’s hoops junior forward Ellie Mitchell vowed that the Tigers would keep their focus and tune out some of the distractions of being at home.  more

TITLE PUSH: Princeton University men’s basketball player Tosan Evbuomwan pushes past a foe in recent action. Last Saturday, senior star Evbuomwan tallied 15 points with seven rebounds and six assists to help Princeton rally from a 17-point second half deficit to defeat Penn 77-69 in overtime. The win clinched a second straight Ivy League regular season championship for Princeton, which shared this year’s title with Yale. This weekend, the Tigers, now 19-8 overall and 10-4 Ivy, will be hosting the Ivy postseason tournament which will decide the league’s automatic bid to the upcoming NCAA tournament. Princeton is seeded second and will face third-seeded Penn in a semifinal on March 11 with the victor advancing to the final a day later to take in the winner of the Yale-Cornell semi. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

There were smiles and hugs as the Princeton University men’s basketball team held its annual Senior Day celebration last Saturday afternoon before playing Penn.

For Princeton head coach Mitch Henderson, this year’s senior group has carved out a special place in his heart.

“We took a break for a year and all of the guys stayed in school, so I only had three years with them,” said Henderson, whose Class of 2023 includes Tosan Evbuomwan, Konrad Kiszka, Jacob O’Connell, Ryan Langborg, and Keeshawn Kellman.

“From the top down, Tosan through to Konrad, Jacob, Ryan, and Keeshawn, there is humility and grace. Everything that I have asked them to do over the course of their time here they have done it and now they are passing it along to the next group. That is what you want and the only way a program works.”

Evbuomwan, a native of Newcastle, England, savored the pregame ceremony. more

COMING THROUGH: Princeton University men’s hockey player Spencer Kersten, left, controls the puck in a game this season. Last Saturday, Kersten scored the final two goals for ninth-seeded Princeton as it defeated eighth-seeded Union 6-4 in an ECAC Hockey one-game first round playoff contest. The Tigers, now 13-17 overall, will be playing in a best-of-three ECACH quarterfinal series at second-seeded Harvard (21-6-2) starting on March 10. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Unable to get its offense going, the Princeton University men’s hockey fell 3-1 at Union College in its regular season finale on February 25.

Last Saturday, Princeton got another shot at Union in Schenectady, N.Y., as the teams met in an ECAC Hockey one-game first round playoff contest and the Tigers were clicking from the start. more

STONE AGE: Princeton University women’s basketball player Grace Stone puts up a shot in recent action. Last Friday, senior star Stone scored 13 points and had four rebounds to help Princeton rally from a 10-point halftime deficit to earn a 51-47 win over Harvard. The Tigers, now 20-5 overall and 11-2 Ivy League, play at Penn on March 3 in their regular season finale. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Grace Stone experienced some extra nerves to go with the emotions she was feeling as the Princeton University women’s basketball program held its annual Senior Night celebration last Friday when it hosted Harvard.

After each member of the team’s Class of 2023 was introduced, Tiger senior guard/forward Stone grabbed a mic and sang a duet of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” with her mother Karen Stone before the crowd of 1,744 at Jadwin Gym.

“I have never really sung in front of anybody before like that,” said Stone. “She really, really wanted me to sing with her; that song means a lot to us and our family. I know it meant a lot to her so I really wanted to do it. It felt special.” more

GETTING HER FILL: Princeton University women’s hockey player Sarah Fillier, right, goes after the puck in a game earlier this season. Last weekend, junior star Fillier totaled two goals and two assists as seventh-seeded Princeton lost a best-of-three ECAC Hockey quarterfinal series to second-seeded Colgate. The Tigers topped the Raiders 3-2 on Friday in the opener but then lost 4-3 on Saturday and fell 2-1 to Colgate in a decisive game three on Sunday. The defeat left the Tigers with a 15-15-1 overall record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

It may have been blackboard material for the opponents of the Princeton University women’s hockey team, but Cara Morey was on to something.

On the last regular season home weekend of the season when Princeton clinched a spot in the ECAC Hockey quarterfinals, Tiger head coach Morey exuded confidence as she looked ahead to postseason action.

“Our hope is that we are really hot as we head into playoffs,” said Morey. “I think that people are generally scared of the Tigers in the playoffs and I think this year is going to be like the rest. Whoever we play and it is looking like it could be Quinnipiac or Colgate, I am sure they are wondering, shoot, I just don’t want to face the Tigers.”

Sure enough, Princeton ended up playing at Colgate last weekend in the ECACH quarters and the seventh-seeded Tigers put quite a scare into the second-seeded Raiders, who were ranked third nationally.  more

ALEXANDER THE GREAT: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Alexander Vardaro races upfield last Saturday as Princeton hosted Monmouth in its season opener. Midfielder Vardaro started his senior campaign with a bang, tallying a career-high five goals along with two assists as Princeton defeated Monmouth 22-9. In upcoming action, the No. 3 Tigers were slated to host Manhattan on February 21 and defending national champion and No. 9 Maryland on February 25. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For Alexander Vardaro, taking a gap year from Princeton University in 2020-21 resulted in some soul-searching and led him to change his perspective on things.

“It was pretty big for my mindset to understand what my priorities were in life and in lacrosse,” said Vardaro, a midfielder for the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team. “Going in that year after COVID, you think about how much time you really have here.”

The year away from school also allowed Vardaro to develop physically as he spent time in Park City, Utah with a group of teammates before they headed south to Texas.

“We were training every day, sometimes twice a day. I was in some of the best shape of my life there,” said Vardaro, reflecting on his experience in Utah where the players were working out in the mountains at an elevation of 6,890 feet. “We went down to Austin, Texas, after that. It was a different environment. We were basically on the college campus, so we got to see what that big rah-rah school is like compared to here, but I still do appreciate what Princeton has to offer.”

Returning to action for the 2022 season, Vardaro was a changed player for the Tigers as they advanced to the NCAA Final 4, tallying 26 goals and 15 assists after totaling 23 goals and seven assists in his first two college campaigns. more

GOING TO THE MATT: Princeton University men’s basketball player Matt Allocco looks to make a pass in a game earlier this season. Last Friday, junior guard Allocco scored 20 points and played lockdown defense on Brown star Kino Lilly as the Tigers topped the Bears 78-67. A night later against Yale, Allocco scored 13 points but it wasn’t enough as Princeton squandered a 19-point second half lead and fell 93-83 to the Bulldogs in overtime. The Tigers, now 17-8 overall and 8-4 Ivy League and in a three-way tie for first place in the league standings with Yale and Penn, play at Harvard on February 25. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Matt Allocco drew a tough assignment when the Princeton University men’s basketball team hosted Brown last Friday night.

With Brown having edged Princeton 72-70 on January 14 as Kino Lilly torched the Tigers with 26 points, junior guard Allocco was given the unenviable task of trying to contain Lilly in the rematch.

The wiry 6’4, 193-pound Allocco proved up to the challenge, sticking with Lilly all over the court and holding him to 10 points on 3-of-13 shooting as Princeton topped the Bears 78-67 before a crowd of 1,750 at Jadwin Gym.

“He is an unbelievable player. He is really good, but I know too that I am going to do my job and I am going to try my best,” said Allocco. “My team behind me was going to have my back. If you have that kind of support, you have got all of the confidence in yourself. Any time you guard a player like him, you have got to be super disciplined and more than anything else you have got to play really hard.”

Allocco also did very well offensively against Brown for a second straight game, tallying 20 points after having scored a career-high 21 points in the previous meeting with the Bears.

“It is in the flow of things, it is just how the game goes sometimes,” said Allocco, who went 6-of-11 from the floor and 6-of-6 from the free throw line in the win on Friday. “It is not missing an opportunity and just to make the right play, whatever it is.” more

PLAYOFF PUSH: Princeton University men’s hockey player Pito Walton controls the puck in a game earlier this season. Senior defenseman and captain Walton has starred as the Tigers have risen to seventh place in the ECAC Hockey standings, putting them in position to earn home ice for the first round of the ECAC Hockey playoffs. Princeton went 1-1 last weekend in its final regular season action at Hobey Baker Rink this season, edging Brown 3-2 on Friday before falling 4-0 to Yale a night later. The Tigers, now 12-15 overall and 8-12 ECACH, play at RPI on February 24 and at Union on February 25 to wrap up regular season action. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Pito Walton was determined to take an even-keeled approach as he took the ice at Hobey Baker Rink last Saturday night for his final regular season home game for the Princeton University men’s hockey team.

“I was trying to keep the emotions level throughout the game and stuff, obviously you can get caught up in it sometimes,” said Princeton senior defenseman and captain Walton. “I think ultimately it was not looking at it as the last game here, hoping that we can secure a couple of wins next weekend and be right back here for playoffs.”

The Tigers didn’t get the win against Yale in the finale, falling 4-0 despite outshooting the Bulldogs 40-25.

“It is just hockey, sometimes it just doesn’t go your way,” said Walton, a 6’2, 192-pound native of Peapack, who starred at the Lawrenceville School before coming up the road to Princeton. “We had a lot of good spurts out there but you have to put the puck in the back of the net to win games and unfortunately we didn’t do that tonight.”

Drawing on his experience, Walton wasn’t about to let the frustrating defeat get to him. more

COMING THROUGH: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Alex Slusher fights to get past a Cornell defender in action last season. Star attacker Slusher scored 46 goals in 2022 in his junior season to help the Tigers advance to the NCAA Final 4 for the first time since 2004. Princeton opens its 2023 season by hosting Monmouth on February 18. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

After advancing to the NCAA Final 4 last spring for the first time since 2004, the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team is hoping that the stirring postseason run will be a harbinger of things to come.

“Hopefully, it will pay dividends in experience if we are fortunate enough to earn that opportunity again,” said Princeton head coach Matt Madalon, who guided the Tigers to an 11-5 overall record in 2022. “I think the more you get back there, the more comfortable you feel in those settings.”

The squad developed a deeper comfort level after going on a fall trip to Spain and Andorra.

“It absolutely helped, any time you can get your team away from the normal routine of Princeton, academically and athletically, is good,” said Madalon. “To be able to get them out of the country and eat all of your meals together and see the coaches in a different light, it is all very wonderful.”

Princeton didn’t have much time to get up and running for the 2023 campaign as it had a whirlwind preseason.

“Preseason was 10 practices, two scrimmages, and two days off,” said Madalon, whose team is ranked fourth in this week’s Inside Lacrosse Media Poll and hosts Monmouth on February 18 in its 2023 season opener. “It was good, I think we stayed relatively healthy. We are still just trying to build off of last year and teach the new guys some things.”

Madalon is expecting great things from his top attack group of senior Alex Slusher (46 goals, 10 assists in 2022), sophomore Coulter Mackesy (28 goals, 15 assists), and sophomore Braedon Saris (1 assist).

“Alex has gotten better every year, he is a leader down there,” said Madalon, who will also be using sophomore Jack Ringhofer, senior Jack Crockett, and freshman Chad Palumbo on attack. “He is showing the poise and dealing with the pressure that gets put on that unit so he is wonderful. Coulter stepped up big time last year, we have got really high hopes for that young guy. Playing to their right will be Braedon, he is a Canadian guy, he is skilled with a high IQ. He is very complementary to the other guys.” more

SENIOR SURGE: Princeton University women’s hockey player Maggie Connors looks for the puck in a game earlier this season. Senior star forward Connors enjoyed a big final regular season weekend at Hobey Baker Rink, tallying two assists in a 3-2 overtime win over Union on Friday to help Princeton clinch a spot in the upcoming ECAC Hockey quarterfinals, and contributing an assist as the Tigers topped Rensselaer 4-3 in overtime a day later. Princeton, which has now posted five straight wins to improve to 14-11-1 overall and 10-10 ECACH, plays at Clarkson on February 17 and at St. Lawrence on February 18 to wrap up regular season play. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For Maggie Connors, taking the ice last weekend for her final regular season action at Hobey Baker Rink with the Princeton University women’s hockey team was a long time coming.

“I took a gap year, I feel like it was never going to arrive,” said Princeton senior forward Connors, a 5’6 native of St. John’s, Newfoundland, and Labrador, Canada.

“The fact that I came here in 2018, it feels like I have been here forever. That doesn’t make me want to leave in any way. It definitely feels like I have gone through it for a while.”

As Princeton started the Senior Weekend by hosting Union Friday evening, it looked like the Tigers were never going to score as they trailed 1-0 after two periods despite outshooting the Dutchwomen 29-7.

“Credit to their goalie [Sophie Matsoukas], she played well and we peppered her,” said Connors who generated eight shots on goal in the first two periods and pounded her stick against her helmet in frustration at one point when one of her shots was turned away. “I think we could have had some better quality chances. We talked about getting in front of her more, they were getting all of the rebounds.”

Early in the third period, Connors helped Princeton cash in on a chance, picking up an assist on a power play goal by fellow senior Kayla Fillier.

“On that power play, I shot for the far pad on a one timer,” said Connors. “I thought Annie [Kuehl] was going to put it in and then Kayla was able to do it.”

Minutes later, Connors picked up a second assist on a 2-on-1 rush as she slotted the puck to Fillier, who banged it home for her second goal of the contest. more

RISING UP: Princeton University women’s basketball player Kaitlyn Chen heads to the hoop in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, junior guard Chen tallied a game-high 16 points with four assists and three rebounds to help Princeton defeat Dartmouth 64-47. The Tigers, now 17-5 overall and 8-2 Ivy League, play at Brown on February 17 and at Yale on February 18. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Princeton University women’s basketball team clinging to a 31-25 lead against visiting Dartmouth early in the third quarter last Saturday, the Tigers rode a unconventional one-two punch to break the game open.

With starting point guard Kaitlyn Chen scoring eight points and reserve forward Paige Morton contributing four points, Princeton produced a 21-8 surge and never looked back on the way to a 64-47 victory, improving to 17-5 overall and 8-2 Ivy League.

Chen, for her part, attributed the third quarter run to some intense defense.

“It was just to do what we always do, lock it down on defense,” said Chen “Our defense translates to our offense.”

Junior star Chen translated those stops into several end-to-end drives as she sliced through Dartmouth players on the way to the hoop.

“Coach (Carla Berube) just mentioned slowing myself down,” said Chen, who tallied a game-high 16 points with four assists and three rebounds in the win. “I felt like once I slowed myself down I was able to see things open up more.”

Sophomore forward Morton enjoyed a second strong effort against the Big Green as she tallied 11 points on 5-of-5 shooting in a 79-59 win over Dartmouth on January 21. more

GETTING IN RHYTHM: Princeton University men’s basketball player Deven Austin dribbles upcourt last Saturday against Columbia. Freshman guard Austin scored 10 points to help Princeton defeat the Lions 88-66. A night earlier, Austin scored 13 points and had eight rebounds as Princeton rallied to edge Cornell 89-82 and give head coach Mitch Henderson his 200th career victory. Princeton, now 16-6 overall and 7-2 Ivy League, plays at Dartmouth on February 11. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

History was both celebrated and made as the Princeton University men’s basketball team hosted Cornell last Friday night.

Before the contest, which matched teams tied atop the Ivy League standings, Princeton held a ceremony honoring the 25th anniversary of the storied 1996-1998 Tiger teams that posted a 73-13 overall record and a 40-2 league mark.

A large contingent of players and coaches from those squads was on hand and introduced to the cheers of the Jadwin Gym crowd. The last two players recognized were the head coaches facing off in the Ivy showdown, Princeton’s Mitch Henderson ’98 and Cornell’s Brian Earl ’99.

“We were so lucky to be influenced by such great mentors and such great coaches,” said Henderson, noting that former coaches Bill Carmody, John Thomson III, and Howard Levy were all present for the event.

“It is a really rare thing. What you want as a head coach for your team is to experience what we got to experience, which is a really special group of guys with great players and  great people. When you come here, you want to make your mark because there have been so many teams before you that have done so. It was just amazing to see so many people — 25 years is a long time ago.”

That experience has greatly impacted Henderson’s coaching approach.

“There are pieces of Brian, Sydney [Johnson], Steve Goodrich, Bill, Joe [Scott], John and Howie in what I do; almost everything I say is regurgitated from somebody else,” said Henderson, noting that Tiger coach Pete Carril, who passed away this past August, was also a huge influence on his coaching.

“Everything should be cited, and then you have put your own stamp on it. It has never been lost on me, how lucky you get to come here. I felt that today. It was very emotional after those teams walked off the floor. It really hit me hard.”

The clash against Cornell turned into an emotional contest as Princeton found itself trailing 45-35 at halftime before rallying for a hard-earned 89-82 win before a crown of 2,241.  more

HEAVY LIFTING: Princeton University wrestler Travis Stefanik, top, controls a foe in recent action. Last Saturday, senior Stefanik, ranked No. 33 at 285 pounds, earned a 5-3 sudden victory win over No. 18 Cory Day of Binghamton as the Tigers won the dual 28-10 over the Bearcats. Princeton, now 3-9 overall, has a dual at Penn on February 10 and then hosts Lehigh on February 11. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

Chris Ayres went through slumps during his college wrestling career at Lehigh, and he’s expecting that his Princeton University team will come out of its slump soon.

The Tigers as individuals and as a team have shown their potential, it just hasn’t been as consistently displayed as they would like. Last weekend was more of the same as Princeton split its matches, losing 32-7 to No. 5 Cornell before topping Binghamton, 28-10.

“This year we’ve been in a little bit of a slump and I think it’s been reflected among some guys too,” said Princeton head coach Ayres. “For whatever reason, we are not finding the consistency we’ve had in the past.”

The Tigers have been steadily trending upwards as a program over the last 17 years with Ayres. Whether it’s been individuals making breakthroughs at the national level or the team competing better in the Ivy League or the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) tournament, Princeton has found something to build on each year. This year, the highlights may have to come at the end of the season when the tournaments are biggest. more

PIERCE COMPETITOR: Princeton University men’s basketball player Caden Pierce, right, looks to get around Dartmouth’s Dusan Nescovic last Saturday afternoon at Jadwin Gym. Freshman forward Pierce posted a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds in the contest to help Princeton rally for a 93-90 overtime win against the Big Green. The Tigers, now 14-5 overall and 5-1 Ivy League, moved into first place in the league standings with the victory and will look to stay ahead of the pack as they play at Yale on January 28. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Hosting Dartmouth last Saturday afternoon, the Princeton University men’s basketball team found itself in a desperate situation, trailing the Big Green 76-72 with 1:10 left in regulation.

But with Jadwin Gym in an uproar, Princeton freshman forward Caden Pierce’s thoughts turned to a message hammered home by Tiger head coach Mitch Henderson.

“Coach always says, no matter what the score is, we are always winning the game so I felt like that is what we needed to do,” said Pierce.

Taking those words to heart, Pierce made a steal, flung the ball to Tosan Evbuomwan who set up a three-pointer by Matt Allocco.

“I needed to step up and make a play down the stretch to help the team win,” said Pierce.

Pierce’s clutch play set the tone as Princeton knotted the game at 76-76 to force overtime and then pulled out a 93-90 win as it improved to 14-5 overall and 5-1 Ivy League. more

ON THE RIGHT TRACK: Princeton University men’s hockey player Pito Walton heads up the ice in recent action. Last Saturday, senior star defenseman and captain Walton scored a goal in a losing cause as Princeton fell 3-2 at No. 16 Cornell. The Tigers, now 10-11 overall and 6-9 ECAC Hockey, host LIU on January 28 in their last non-conference game of the regular season. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

It was a roller coaster week for the Princeton University men’s hockey team as it faced a trio of formidable foes.

Starting the week on a high note, Princeton edged No. 12 Providence 3-2 in overtime on January 17. Three days later, the Tigers stumbled in a 5-0 loss at Colgate. Displaying resilience, Princeton showed some fire a night later at No. 16 Cornell, battling back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits before falling 3-2.

Princeton head coach Ron Fogarty, whose team is now 10-11 overall and 6-9 ECAC Hockey, is proud of the progress his team had made after struggling into early stages of the campaign.

“We started 2-6 and we are just a game below .500 now,” said Fogarty. “Our goal is to have a winning season and that is attainable. Now we have faced every team on our schedule once and we know what to expect. We just have to play at our standard.”

The Tigers have raised their standard through daily diligence. “It is just the individual development, there is a lot of repetition at practice with our drills,” said Fogarty, reflecting on his team’s improvement. “Staying with the same core of drills at practice, you see that skillset and they are bringing it to the game.” more

COMING UP ROSES: Princeton University women’s basketball player Madison St. Rose puts up a shot in recent action. Last Monday, freshman guard St. Rose scored a team-high 15 points to help Princeton defeat Penn 55-40. She was later named the Ivy League Rookie of the Week. The Tigers, now 12-5 overall and 3-2 Ivy, play at Dartmouth on January 21. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Madison St. Rose struggled to find a rhythm this winter in her freshman campaign for the Princeton University women’s basketball team, shooting just 26.5 percent from the floor (27-of-102) in the first 13 games of her career.

But while St. Rose could have gotten discouraged as she misfired, her teammates wouldn’t let her.

“They are always telling me to keep shooting because they know all of the potential I have as a player,” said St. Rose, a 5’10 native of Old Bridge who starred for St. John Vianney and was a three-time NJ.com Player of the Year.

St. Rose started to display that potential as she scored 15 points in a 70-48 win over Cornell on January 7 and then tallied 19 points as Princeton topped Hartford 84-37. Utilizing a short-term memory has helped St. Rose get into groove.

“I always try to forget about the first shot that I miss and just keep playing,” said St. Rose. “I know I am capable of making many shots if I am just locked into the game instead of my missed shot.”

Last Monday, St. Rose was locked in as Princeton hosted Penn at Jadwin Gym in an Ivy League showdown.

“As I saw by the fans and the crowd and the energy, it was a really, really intense feeling just being on the court,” said St. Rose, who was making the ninth start of her career. “Penn was undefeated in the Ivy League. We were the underdogs (with a 2-2 Ivy mark) and it was really fun to play with my teammates and try to take them down.” more