it’s not midnight yet for princeton tigers,
No. 15 seed moves to Sweet 16 after being seeded down No. 7 Missouri Saturday in the second round, 78-63.
Toson Ibuomwan (20) and Matt Eloko (14) of the Princeton Tigers react after a basket during the first half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against the Missouri Tigers at Golden 1 Center on March 18, 2023 in Sacramento, California. (Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
Princeton dominated the first half, building a 14-point lead. But Missouri got back-to-back buckets to cut the deficit to seven points. But the 15th seeded Tigers got off to a flying start in the second half and never looked back to open up a 21-point lead.
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Ryan Langborg led with 22 points, while Blake Peters scored 17 for Princeton.
Caden Pierce added 16 rebounds.
The Princeton Tigers bench during the second half against the Missouri Tigers in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on March 18, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. (Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
They are now the fourth 15 seed to advance to the Sweet 16, joining last year. St. Peter’s Peacock (also from New Jersey), Oral Roberts from the Florida Gulf Coast squad of 2021 and 2013.
“It’s great for our school. sweet 16 Means a lot to our crew here. It’s really special,” Princeton head coach Mitch Henderson said on the broadcast after the win.
“These guys come here to win. This is the best school in the country. … We’re thrilled to be here but not surprised.”
Princeton forward Zach Martini reacts after scoring on a 3-pointer during the first half of the team’s second round game against Missouri in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Sacramento, California. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
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Princeton now awaits the winner of No. 3 Baylor and No. 6 Creighton. A win would propel the Tigers to the second 15 seed elite 8Joining last year’s peacocks.