Princeton Basketball Takes Fifth Place At Diamond Head Classic

PRINCETON, NJ — After opening the tournament with an upset win over Southern Cal, the Princeton University men’s basketball team went on to a fifth-place finish at the Diamond Head Classic in Hawaii. Meanwhile, Southern Cal went on to win the tournament title.

Myles Stephens scored a game-high 30 points to lead Princeton to a 103-93 win over Southern Cal in overtime in the tournament’s only non-bracketed game on Dec. 19, at Southern Cal. Stephens also had nine assists, an assist, a steal and a block.

It was the first meeting between the teams since 1972, and their second all-time, according to ESPN. The Tigers outscored the Trojans, 17-7, in overtime after Southern Cal erased an 11-point deficit.

Once the main tournament began, Princeton fell in the first round to Middle Tennessee, 69-67. Giddy Potts hit a shot with 2.3 seconds left to give Middle Tennessee the win. Devin Cannady lead the Tigers with 16 points, eight rebounds and two assists.

The following day, Princeton defeated Akron, 64-62. Stephens hit the game-winning shot as time expired. He finished with 15 points, six rebounds and a block. Amir Bell lead the Tigers with 16 points, five rebounds, three assists and a block.

On Christmas night, Princeton defeated host Hawaii, 77-63, to secure fifth place. Cannady had a season-high 28 points and eight rebounds in the win. Princeton evened its record at 7-7 for the season.

After losing to Princeton in the non-bracketed game, Southern Cal went on to defeat Akron, Middle Tennessee and New Mexico State to win the tournament. To view the full bracket, visit espneevents.com.

Princeton returns to the court in the new year when it opens its Ivy League season on the road at Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is 8-4 overall. It then comes home for two consecutive conference games the following weekend, against Columbia and Cornell, before a rare road game against Division III Rowan on Jan. 28.

Attached image: Princeton guard Devin Cannady (3) shoots while being defended by Hawaii guard Brocke Stepteau, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Diamond Head Classic tournament Monday, Dec. 25, 2017, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)