Princeton Outlasts Bucknell, 73-63

Tuesday, November 11

Princeton, N.J.

7 p.m.

Bucknell University

2-1,0-0Patriot

Princeton

1-1,0-0Ivy League

Bucknell

Princeton

11/11/2025 9:13:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

PRINCETON, N.J.- Bucknell started the game on a 4-0 run and led 4-3 at the 18:13 minute mark but never held the advantage again, as Princeton handed the Bison their first loss of the season, 73-63 on Tuesday night at Jadwin Gym. The Bison continuously kept fighting and at one point tied the contest at 43-43 after trailing by as many as 12, but Princeton answered every Orange & Blue rally. The defeat dropped Bucknell to 2-1 while Princeton improved to 1-1.

The final turning point came late in the second half with the Bison trailing 62-59 after Ruot Bijiek hit two free throws. Achile Spadone was whistled for a foul sending Jacob Higgins to the line. He hit the first free throw but missed the second attempt. Princeton grabbed the resulting rebound. Dalen Davis, who led the Tigers with 25 points, missed a layup but the Tigers again corralled a rebound. Davis tried another layup, and this time he did not miss. The three-point swing gave Princeton a 65-59 lead and the cushion to outlast Bucknell.

Amon Dörries, the reigning Patriot League Rookie of the Week, led Bucknell with 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting from the field and 2-of-4 from the charity stripe. The freshman has made an immediate impact, leading the Bison in scoring for three straight games. Spadone was the only other Bison in double-digits with 10.

The teams shot nearly identically. Bucknell went 21-of-51 (41.2%) and Princeton hit 22-of-53 (41.5%). The Bison went 15-of-21 (71.4%) on free throws. Princeton shot 19-of-29 (65.5%) but hit 6-of-7 in the final minute to seal the win. The one free throw during the stretch that Princeton missed was erased by one of the Tigers' 10 offensive rebounds.

Bucknell tied the game at 43-43 at the 15:39 mark when Grgur Brcic hit 1-of-2 free throws. Princeton recaptured the lead with a 5-0 run and extended it into a 13-7 stretch.

Princeton used a 15-2 run fueled by three treys to escape the early 4-0 deficit, which set the tone for the game and ensured the Bison would have to play catch-up.

The Bison trailed by 12 (36-24) in the first half but rallied to within 41-36 by halftime on a Brandon McCreesh jumper. The Orange & Blue's tenacious defense held Princeton to 1-of-11 shooting to close out the half.