TJ Power (12) from Penn advances the basketball past Nick Townsend (42) of Yale in the latter half of the Ivy League championship contest. (Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
As the top seed in the Ivy League competition, Yale seemed poised for an NCAA tournament spot on Sunday, holding a 73-69 advantage against the third-seeded Penn with only 12 seconds remaining in the league final.
Nevertheless, TJ Power of Penn orchestrated a comeback, forcing an extra period by sinking two three-pointers within the last 6.7 seconds of standard play. Subsequently, Penn clinched an 88-84 victory in the championship match, claiming the conference’s sole anticipated entry into the NCAA tournament and thereby knocking Yale out.
With 6.7 seconds remaining, Power’s three-point shot narrowed Yale’s lead to 73-72. Following this, Penn committed a foul, and Yale successfully converted two free throws, pushing their lead to 75-72. Power subsequently received the inbound pass beneath Penn’s hoop, advanced the ball, and launched a three-pointer from the right side of the court.
His shot, which leveled the score, went through the net as only one second remained.
Yale’s subsequent attempt from three-quarters court showed promise, yet it deflected off the back of the hoop, leading the contest into an extended period, which Penn ultimately dominated.
Penn maintained possession with an 84-81 advantage and 34.6 seconds left in the extra period. Yale created an opportunity to equalize when junior guard Trevor Mullin intercepted Penn’s inbound pass near their own basket. Yale promptly requested a timeout to organize a clear three-point attempt from the left wing for Mullin.
However, Mullin’s attempt briefly entered and then exited the basket, and Power secured the rebound, leading to Penn’s free throws that stretched their lead to 86-81. Yale then landed a three-pointer, reducing Penn’s lead to 86-84 with 11.2 seconds left. Nonetheless, Penn converted their subsequent free throws, sealing the four-point victory.
Outstanding Performance from Former Duke and Virginia Frontcourt Player
Power concluded the contest with a total of 44 points, achieving 14 successful shots out of 26 attempts overall and 7 successful shots out of 14 from beyond the arc. The junior, an All-Ivy honoree who previously served as a reserve for Duke and Virginia, also contributed 14 boards, 2 dish-offs, 1 pilfer, and 2 rejections.
Mullin spearheaded Yale’s endeavors, tallying 22 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds; however, his season concluded on a somber note.
The Quakers successively defeated the second-seeded Harvard in the tournament’s penultimate round, followed by a victory over the top-seeded Yale in Sunday’s final match.
Historic Achievement for Penn’s Head Coach, Fran McCaffery
Securing this triumph, Penn’s head coach, Fran McCaffery, guides his former institution to the NCAA tournament during his inaugural year at the helm. This individual, previously a coach at Iowa, has now steered five distinct athletic programs to the NCAA tournament.
He now stands alongside Rick Pitino (six squads), Steve Alford (five), Lon Kruger (five), and Tubby Smith (five) as the exclusive group of male coaches to accomplish this feat.
