As the clock struck zero and the ball splashed through the net, a gaggle of jubilant Tigers rushed towards sophomore guard Ashley Chea.
The play developed out of a late timeout. With 3.7 seconds remaining, Chea caught an inbound pass from sophomore guard Skye Belker, maneuvered around Crimson defender Harmoni Turner, and stepped back for a mid-range jumper that was pure.
With the first home Ivy League buzzer-beater for a Princeton basketball team since Matt Allocco ’24 helped the men defeat Cornell in 2022, Chea added her name to the record books as her last-second shot pushed Princeton (11–4 overall, 2–0 Ivy) past Harvard (12–2, 1–1) with a final score of 52–50.
“We thought Ashley had a good chance of getting that shot off, faking it to Skye,” head coach Carla Berube told The Daily Princetonian. “We were just thrilled that she made it, thrilled that that game was over and that we came out victorious.”
YESSSSSSSSSSSSS @ashleyycheaa!!!!!#GetStops 🐯🏀 pic.twitter.com/grCSBWwkZw
— Princeton WBB (@PrincetonWBB) January 11, 2025
Chea’s heroics capped off an impressive defensive win for the Tigers, who largely quieted Harvard’s main threat in Turner. Sophomore guard Olivia Hutcherson, who found herself in the starting lineup following junior Madison St. Rose’s injury, drew the primary assignment to defend Turner.
“[Turner] is very quick, so my main focus was to not lunge at her fakes when she had the ball in her hands,” Hutcherson wrote to the ‘Prince.’ “I really wanted to use my quickness and length to contain her drive.”
Scoring opportunities were hard to come by for both teams throughout the match, as fierce defensive efforts and subpar three-point shooting — with a combined total of just 3 for 28 — created an intense showdown on the court.
Harvard’s aggressive press has fueled their success all year, and Princeton initially appeared to be another victim, falling into a 6–0 hole before clawing their way back. The Tigers slowly and methodically settled in on offense, never fully finding a groove but performing consistently against Harvard’s press.
“[The press] is their bread and butter this year,” Berube said. “We battled back and got it over half court in enough time to be able to set up our looks that we wanted.”
Heading into the second quarter, the Tigers’ defense showed just how effective they are, significantly widening the lead. Hutcherson’s guarding of Turner and strong efforts inside, led by senior forward Parker Hill, limited the Crimson to just four points in the frame as shot after shot was contested or fell short. Heading into the half, Princeton maintained a 25–18 lead.
In the third quarter, Princeton maintained their small lead, but the Crimson laid the groundwork for a comeback. Crimson guard Elena Rodriguez and Turner combined for 14 of Harvard’s 16 points in the frame, and Rodriguez was just heating up.
Rodriguez, who scored a game-high 22 points, “had a really good game,” Berube said to the ‘Prince.’ “I think we can do a better job on her in the future.”
Rodriguez made her presence known in the fourth quarter, sparking a Crimson comeback as the margin shrunk to just one possession. With just under three minutes to go, her layup gave the Crimson a 50–48 lead, their first since the opening minutes of the game.
Two free throws from Belker brought the score to 50 apiece, where it would stay for the next two minutes. On Harvard’s final possession, Rodriguez attempted to be the hero but was blocked by Hill yet again, and the Tigers called timeout, setting up Chea’s heroics on the other side of the court.
Leading the way for the Tigers on the scoreboard with ten points were Belker and Hutcherson, whose total was a career high on a day when she stood out on defense as well.
“The only thing that was on my mind was to get open and hit the shot,” Hutcherson wrote. “My teammates set me up for success by handling the ball well during pressure and then giving me a good pass when they see me on open cuts.”
Berube also complimented Hutcherson’s play as the young guard continues to adjust to her role in the starting lineup.
“Olivia was awesome today [on] both ends of the floor,” Berube said. “She’s playing with great confidence and at a really high level.”
A key question coming into Ivy play is how this young team with four sophomore starters will perform against the seasoned veterans of the league like Rodriguez and Turner. Saturday’s game — fueled by Hutcherson’s strong performance, Chea’s buzzer-beater, and overall consistency — hinted toward a very successful campaign for the Tigers.
“Our players do their homework,” Berube said.
Up next for Princeton is a Saturday matinée against Dartmouth (8–7, 2–0) before a rare Monday Ivy game at Columbia (11–4, 2–0).
Max Hines is a senior Sports writer for the ‘Prince.’
Please send corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
Read More
Clio Hall protesters set for April trial after second plea deal collapses
Cynthia TorresOn Tuesday, Jan. 14, Clio Hall protesters appeared in court for the 5th time to schedule a trial date on charges of defiant trespassing. The conference began with confusion over an arranged deal between the defense and prosecution attorneys. The trial was eventually scheduled to start on April 14, almost one year after the Clio Hall sit-in.
On Tuesday, Jan. 14, Clio Hall protesters appeared in court for the 5th time to schedule a trial date on charges of defiant trespassing. The conference began with confusion over an arranged deal between the defense and prosecution attorneys. The trial was eventually scheduled to start on April 14, almost one year after the Clio Hall sit-in.
Men’s basketball outlasts Harvard in Ivy League opener
Luke StocklessMen's basketball survives a late surge from the Crimson to hold on and take their Ivy League opener, led by junior stars Xaivian Lee and Caden Pierce.
Men's basketball survives a late surge from the Crimson to hold on and take their Ivy League opener, led by junior stars Xaivian Lee and Caden Pierce.
Before inauguration, Princeton issues no official travel warning for international students
Maya MukherjeeWhile various other universities advised international students to return to the United States before President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, Princeton has not issued an official recommendation.
While various other universities advised international students to return to the U.S. before President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, Princeton did not. The 'Prince' interviewed a number of international students of different nationalities on how they feel regarding the lack of advice.
