PRINCETON, N.J. (AP) — Kaitlyn Chen scored 27 points and No. 25 Princeton pulled away in the second half for a 79-59 win over Yale on Friday night, the Tigers’ 11th-straight win but first since returning to the Top 25 this week.
Chet Nweke had 10 points and nine rebounds for Princeton (16-3, 6-0 Ivy League), which has won eight-straight in the series. Ellie Mitchell had 11 rebounds, which is where the game was won even with leading scorer Madison St. Rose being held to four points, 11 below her average.
The Tigers had a 44-21 rebounding advantage, 20-4 on the offensive end.
Kiley Capstraw scored 16 points for Yale (4-15, 1-5). Nyla McGill added 13 points with Jenna Clark and Brenna McDonald adding 11 each.
Despite a 4 of 14 fourth quarter, Yale ended up at 46% shooting (22 of 48) but with the rebounding advantage and heating up to 57% in the second half, Princeton’s 18 more rebounds led to the comfortable win.
The Tigers asserted themselves in the third quarter when they turned a 35-30 halftime lead into a 64-46 advantage. Yale made 6 of 10 shots but Princeton was 11 of 17, including 3 of 4 behind the arc. The Tigers’ worst shooting came from the line where they made 4 of 8 free throws.
There were no big runs but Princeton had more offensive rebounds (5) than Yale had rebounds (4) and forced six turnovers.
Rebounding also played a big role in the first half. Again, Yale shot well, 12 of 24, but Princeton had 12 offensive rebounds, the Bulldogs had 10 total rebounds. Princeton put up 12 more shots.
The Tigers are home against Brown on Saturday. Yale plays at Penn Saturday.
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