Princeton Men's Basketball Team Drops Season Opener To Butler

PRINCETON, NJ — Amir Bell knocked down a game-high 22 points, but it wasn’t enough to help the Princeton University men’s basketball team to a win in its first game of the season. Butler defeated Princeton, 85-75, on Sunday night.

Butler went up by a score of 50-38, but the Tigers were able to cut the lead to four points, 68-64, with about six minutes left in the game, according to ESPN. Butler went on an 8-2 run to hold off Princeton.Kelan Martin lead the Bulldogs with 20 points and 14 rebounds. Myles Stephens had 21 points for Princeton, followed by Devin Cannady, who had 12 points.

Cannady is Princeton leading returning scorer from last year’s NCAA Tournament team with 13.2 points per game, according to the Princeton Packet. Stephens is one of the best defenders in the Ivy League, and Bell gives the Tigers experience at point guard.

Princeton finished third in the preseason poll of media who cover the Ivy League. Harvard was picked to win the conference, followed by Yale. Penn, who Princeton defeated in last year’s Ivy League tournament final, was fourth.

Princeton was 23-7 last year, and fell in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to Notre Dame, 60-58.
The Tigers return to the court Wednesday night, Nov. 15 when they host Brigham Young in their home opener, 7 p.m.