Xaivian Lee delivered a career-defining performance Friday night, scoring 25 points to secure Princeton basketball a pivotal 76-71 win against Ivy League rival Harvard. The victory solidifies the Tigers' playoff positioning while dealing a critical blow to the Crimson’s postseason hopes.
Lee dominated all facets of the game, adding 6 rebounds and 6 assists to his stat line. Teammate Blake Peters provided crucial perimeter support with 14 points, sinking 4 three-pointers. CJ Happy contributed an efficient 9 points on 4-of-6 shooting for the Tigers (17-8, 6-4 Ivy League).
Harvard (9-14, 4-6) countered with an explosive 31-point effort from Robert Hinton, but critical defensive lapses in the final minutes proved decisive. Key contributions came from Louis Lesmond (11 points) and Chandler Pigge, whose all-around effort included 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Games like this define seasons,said Princeton head coach Mitch Henderson. When your star player elevates everyone around him, special things happen.
The Tigers sealed their win with strategic execution in the closing moments:
- Forced 3 turnovers in the final 4 minutes
- Held Harvard to 2-of-7 shooting down the stretch
- Converted 8 consecutive free throws
With Ivy League seeding implications on the line, Princeton now prepares to host Dartmouth on Saturday, while Harvard faces a challenging road game against Pennsylvania. Currently third in conference standings, the Tigers could clinch a top-two tournament seed with two remaining regular-season victories.
This matchup continued Princeton’s recent dominance in the series, marking their fifth consecutive win against Harvard. The Crimson haven’t defeated the Tigers at Jadwin Gymnasium since 2019.