Christina Lee, Head Photography Editor

The No. 1 seed Yale Bulldogs hung on in a close game and advanced to the Ivy League Championship after defeating No. 4 Princeton earlier today. The Bulldogs scraped by 59–57 on a day they didn’t have their best showing, narrowly escaping after an incredible comeback from the Tigers. 

After the Bulldogs held the lead throughout nearly the entire game, the Tigers came back fiery late in the second half. With under three minutes left, Princeton took the lead for the first time all game 54–53. 

“Our guys did a great job of fighting to the end,” Nick Townsend ’26 said in his post-game interview, describing the game as a “dog fight” for all the players. This star junior kept his cool and came up with 11 rebounds, the most on the floor today. 

Despite going 3-15 from three, the Bulldogs did just enough to get by. 

Poulakidas led the Bulldogs in points once again today, putting up 13, and was the only Eli to make a three all day. Dangerous and quick on the floor, he was a nightmare for the Tigers to guard.

Late in the game, three-time Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year and 2024-2025 Ivy League Player of the Year Bez Mbeng ’25 showed what he does best. After Princeton clawed back to 54–53, the Tigers were determined to keep the momentum going and run away with it. Mbeng, however, had a different plan. 

The game came down to what many say are the best three players in the Ivy League, with First Team All-Ivy selections John Poulakidas ’25 and Mbeng leading Yale late game, and Xaivian Lee trying to carry Princeton on in the tournament. 

First, it was Mbeng’s turn as he converted a tough basket on which he was fouled and then sank the following free throw. Then, Poulakidas and Lee both traded long, contested threes that saw Yale sitting with the lead with a minute to go. 

However, that last minute would prove to be a scary one for Bulldogs fans. Following a massive blocked layup by Samson Aletan ’27, the Bulldogs decided to stall, aiming to leave as little time for Princeton as possible. That strategy went wrong once Yale failed to get any shot off and Princeton was given the ball on a shot clock violation down two, with six seconds remaining. 

This all set up a massive few final seconds play in which everyone in the gym knew that Lee would get the ball and Mbeng would be on him. In the end, it was Mbeng who won the game for Yale, forcing Lee to take an off-balance three that clanked off the rim and fell to the court. 

The Ivy Defensive Player of the Year snuffed out multiple drives from Princeton’s top scorers, including Xavian Lee, quickly killing their stride. The Tigers regained possession but just couldn’t capitalize, leaving the score 59–57 when the final buzzer rang.

Both teams fought hard, but Yale will have to focus on being that second-half team they showed us they could be later in the regular season. This game was a reminder not to slip into their old habit of taking their foot off the gas in those last few minutes.

Read the News’ live coverage of today’s game here.

Tomorrow, on Sunday, Yale will face the winner of No. 2 Cornell vs No. 3 Dartmouth who play at 2 p.m. today in Providence.

Tip off for the Championship is set for noon tomorrow and will be streamed on ESPN+ with live updates from the News.