Princeton leaves Music City on a high note

The Tigers accomplished their objective on the weekend trip to Nashville: Stop the losing streak at two games. Princeton came away from Music City on the long end of a 78-64 score against the Lipscomb Bisons.

History was made by the Tigers in this one, as they took control early on, cruising to a bench-clearing romp in which they led by as many as 20 in the second half. Three Tigers, Henry Caruso, Pete Miller and Spencer Weisz, had double-doubles, something that had never occurred in program history.

The key to victory was the Tigers’ dominance on the glass at both ends of the court. Princeton snagged an astounding 55 caroms to the Bisons’ 29. Seventeen offensive rebounds resulted in 19 second-chance points, more than enough to keep the Tigers in their comfort zone throughout the contest.

Caruso, once again the anchor man in the Tigers’ lineup, led the team with 24 points and 12 rebounds. Miller added 12 points and 10 rebounds. Perhaps most impressive was Miller’s perfect 4-for-4 night at the charity stripe. Weisz, apparently smarting from the suggestion made in these pages last week, that he is mired in a shooting slump, stormed out of it with 21 points, including 5-for-10 from beyond the arc. His 11 rebounds completed the double-double.

Not all the news is good, however. Princeton committed an unacceptable 19 turnovers, many of the careless variety. Devin Cannady, the rookie sensation, who entered the game as the nation’s leading free throw shooter, had four turnovers in just 15 minutes. Because he failed to attempt a free throw, he is no longer currently eligible for leadership in that category.  Alec Brennan, at 6’11”, expected to fill the hole opened up by the season-ending injury to Hans Brase, has failed to progress. He committed three personal fouls in just seven minutes of action yesterday, often looking lost on defense. Some reliable help must be found for Pete Miller in the paint, and it must be found soon.

The Tigers return to Jadwin for a Thursday night meeting with Liberty, which will hopefully arrive sans concealed weapons, prior to the much anticipated trip to Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore on Dec. 19 to play one of the nation’s best teams, the Maryland Terrapins.