Full Breakdown
Ivy League Men's Basketball: A Night of Thrilling Upsets
2/28/2026, 11:26:36 AM
Key Victories in Ivy League Showdown
On a pivotal night in Ivy League men's basketball, Cornell, Harvard, Columbia, and Pennsylvania secured crucial victories, reshaping the standings as the regular season nears its conclusion. Cornell upset first-place Yale 72-69, Harvard edged Princeton 58-56, and Pennsylvania overcame Dartmouth 80-71, all contributing to a competitive race for the Ivy Madness tournament.
Cornell's Last-Second Heroics
In Ithaca, New York, Jake Fiegen emerged as the hero for Cornell (13-12, 6-6 Ivy League), scoring a go-ahead three-pointer with just one second remaining. This victory marked a significant turnaround for Cornell, which had lost five consecutive games to Yale, including a 34-point defeat earlier this season. Fiegen led the Big Red with 17 points, complemented by Cooper Noard's 16 points and Josh Baldwin's 13 points. The win not only snapped Yale's five-game winning streak but also positioned Cornell in fourth place, crucial for advancing to the Ivy Madness tournament.
Harvard's Comeback Victory
Meanwhile, Harvard (16-10, 9-3 Ivy League) staged a remarkable comeback against Princeton (8-19, 4-8 Ivy League), overcoming a 17-point deficit. Robert Hinton's game-winning jumper with 3.1 seconds left secured the victory for the Crimson. Hinton finished with 15 points, while Tey Barbour contributed 14 points. This win allowed Harvard to tie for first place in the conference standings, alongside Yale, as the season approaches its climax.
Pennsylvania's Strong Performance
In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (14-11, 7-5 Ivy League) showcased a dominant performance led by TJ Power, who scored 38 points and grabbed 12 rebounds against Dartmouth (11-14, 5-7 Ivy League). Power's scoring was pivotal in overcoming a 12-point halftime deficit. Despite the loss, Dartmouth's Brandon Mitchell-Day and Cameron McNamee contributed 23 and 18 points, respectively. The Quakers' victory solidified their position in the Ivy Madness race, needing just one more win to secure their spot.
Columbia's Continued Pursuit
Columbia (16-10, 5-7 Ivy League) also claimed a significant victory, defeating Brown 80-62. Kenny Noland led the Lions with 23 points, keeping their hopes alive for an Ivy Madness berth. With one game remaining, Columbia is just one game behind Cornell for the fourth spot.
Official Statements & Responses
Cornell's coach expressed pride in his team's resilience, stating, "We started out lousy in three of our last four games and put ourselves in a hole that we had to dig out of." Harvard's coach, Tommy Amaker, praised his team's character, saying, "We had to claw and find our way back, which says a lot about our team."
What's Next
As the Ivy League regular season concludes, the focus shifts to the upcoming games, including a critical matchup between Harvard and Pennsylvania. The Ivy Madness tournament is set to take place at Cornell's Newman Arena from March 13-15, where the top four teams will compete for the automatic NCAA bid.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We started out lousy in three of our last four games and put ourselves in a hole that we had to dig out of,” — James Jones, Yale Coach
- “We had to claw and find our way back, which says a lot about our team, our character, and the chemistry that you have to have to come back,” — Tommy Amaker, Harvard Coach
- “I’m so proud of our guys for coming through in the clutch there,” — Robert Hinton, Harvard Player
This thrilling night of Ivy League basketball not only showcased individual talents but also highlighted the competitive spirit as teams vie for a place in the postseason.
