Penn Basketball Wins Ivy League Tournament, Heads to NCAA March Madness 2024

ITHACA, N.Y. – The University of Pennsylvania men’s basketball team completed a remarkable run to the Ivy League championship on Sunday, overcoming top-seeded Yale in an 88-84 overtime thriller at Cornell’s Newman Arena. The Quakers, seeded third, became the first No. 3 team to win the eight-year-old Ivy Madness tournament, securing the Ivy League’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament – their 25th appearance overall and first since 2018.

The championship victory marked a significant milestone for Penn head coach Fran McCaffery, a Penn alum who now becomes just the fifth coach in NCAA Division I men’s basketball history to lead five different programs to the Massive Dance. He joins Rick Pitino, Steve Alford, Lon Kruger, and Tubby Smith in achieving this feat.

The Quakers’ path to the title wasn’t easy. They navigated through a challenging bracket, needing overtime wins against both second-seeded Harvard and Yale to claim the crown. Penn’s resilience and clutch performances proved to be the difference in a tournament filled with competitive matchups.

TJ Power delivered a performance for the ages, scoring a tournament-record 44 points and grabbing 14 rebounds for his second consecutive double-double. Power’s scoring outburst is tied for the third-highest single-game total in program history, trailing only Ernie Beck’s 47 points against Duke in 1952 and Beck’s 45 against Harvard in 1952. He was a dominant force throughout the game, showcasing his versatility with 7 of 14 three-pointers and a perfect 9-for-9 from the free-throw line.

While Power’s scoring was the headline, the Quakers received crucial contributions from other players. Cam Thrower provided a spark off the bench, scoring a career-high 19 points and hitting a pivotal three-pointer with two minutes remaining in overtime to provide Penn an 82-78 lead. He followed up a missed shot with a crucial offensive rebound and put-back, extending the lead to 84-81. Thrower finished 6-of-10 from the field and 4-of-6 from beyond the arc.

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with Yale leading for much of the second half after a three-pointer by Devon Arlington gave them a 61-58 advantage. However, Power kept Penn within striking distance, hitting two three-pointers in the final seven seconds of regulation to force overtime at 75-all.

Yale, led by Isaac Celiscar’s double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds, and 22 points from Trevor Mullin, proved to be a formidable opponent. Nick Townsend and Casey Simmons likewise added 17 points apiece for the Bulldogs. Despite a strong performance, Yale couldn’t contain Power’s offensive onslaught and ultimately fell short in the extra period.

Penn’s victory snapped a six-game winning streak Yale had held over the Quakers and ended a run where Yale had won nine of the last ten meetings between the two programs. The Quakers also showcased their efficiency at the free-throw line, going a perfect 16-for-16 – the second time this season they’ve achieved that feat, previously doing so at Princeton.

Beyond the individual performances, Penn’s team effort was evident in their 14 three-pointers, a season-high, and their 50 percent shooting from beyond the arc. AJ Levine contributed nine points, a game-high six assists, and four steals before fouling out in overtime. Michael Zanoni added eight points, while Augustus Gerhart and Jay Jones chipped in with four and two points, respectively.

The win sends Penn (18-11) to the NCAA Tournament, where they will learn their fate during the Selection Show on CBS at 6 p.m. Tonight. The Quakers will be eager to represent the Ivy League on the national stage and make a deep run in the tournament. For McCaffery, this return to March Madness with his alma mater is a particularly sweet victory, adding another chapter to his impressive coaching career.

The Quakers’ improbable championship run is a testament to their resilience, teamwork, and the exceptional play of TJ Power and the contributions of the entire roster. As they prepare for the NCAA Tournament, Penn will carry the momentum of their Ivy Madness triumph and the hopes of a passionate fanbase.