ITHACA, N.Y. – Ivy League leading Princeton used a smothering defensive effort during the first quarter of action to jump out to a lead it would not relinquish en route to a 72-40 victory this evening in Newman Arena.
 
Cornell (6-6, 2-7 Ivy) was led by Stephanie Umeh, who knocked down 6-of-7 from the floor for a career-high 12 points. Dylan Higgins also finished with a career-high nine points on 4-of-6 shooting, while Samantha Clement also added nine points. Sophomore Reena Olsen grabbed a team- and career-high four rebounds.
 
Princeton (18-4, 8-1 Ivy) was led by Bella Alarie's 18 points, while Sydney Jordan (12) and Tia Weledji (11) both finished in double-digits.
 
The Tigers shot a blistering 48.3 percent overall (29-63), while holding Cornell to just 30.6 percent from the floor (15-49). Princeton connected on a mere 16.7 percent from beyond the arc (2-12), but for the first time all season, Cornell was held without a 3-pointer (0-7). The visitors held the 37-30 edge in rebounds and had just eight turnovers on the day. Princeton forced Cornell into 17 turnovers with 12 steals, leading to 21 points off turnovers.
 
Princeton's relentless defense was on display early as the visitors forced the Big Red into eight consecutive missed shots to start the game. The Tigers built a 15-0 lead in the process before Cornell finally got on the board with a jumper from Umeh with :08 showing on the clock.
 
The Big Red began to find some cracks in the Princeton defense in the second quarter, hitting 8-of-14 shots with six points each from Umeh and Clement in the quarter. Despite the improvement for the home team, the Tigers potent front court continued to get high percentage shots and the visitors built a 37-21 lead at the half.
 
Both teams subbed liberally over the final 20 minutes with Princeton rolling to the 72-40 final.
 
Cornell will be put to the test again tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 17 when it takes on second-place Penn at 4 p.m.