HANOVER, N.H. (Interstat) — Kareem Thomas sank a pull-up jumper from just inside the foul line with three seconds remaining, lifting Dartmouth to a dramatic 71-69 victory over Princeton in an Ivy League men’s basketball clash Monday night at a packed Leede Arena.

The game, witnessed by 915 fans, was a tale of two halves and culminated in a final sequence that saw the Big Green erase a seven-point halftime deficit and survive a frantic final minute to secure the win.

Princeton, behind a scintillating first-half performance from junior guard Jackson Hicke, controlled the opening period. The Tigers shot efficiently and built a 38-31 lead at the break. Hicke, a 6-foot-5 native of Radnor, Pennsylvania, was the engine, scoring 19 of his game-high 28 points before halftime. His scoring outburst, which included a mix of three-pointers, drives, and free throws, provided the foundation for Princeton’s early advantage.

Dartmouth, however, emerged from the locker room with renewed defensive intensity and a more balanced offensive attack. The Big Green methodically chipped away at the lead, tying the game midway through the second half and setting the stage for a back-and-forth final ten minutes.

The most important part of the game unfolded in the closing seconds. With the score knotted at 69 after Princeton’s Landon Clark calmly sank two free throws with 26 seconds left, Dartmouth called a timeout to set up a final play. The ball found its way to Thomas, the 6-foot-5 sophomore from Wilmington, Delaware, who had been Dartmouth’s primary offensive weapon all night.

Thomas, who finished with 22 points, drove to his right, created a sliver of space near the elbow, and elevated for a contested jumper. The shot swished through the net, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and leaving Princeton with only three ticks on the clock. The Tigers’ desperation heave from beyond half-court fell short, sealing the comeback victory for the Big Green.

While Thomas provided the heroics, Dartmouth’s victory was bolstered by a critical contribution from sophomore forward Jayden Williams. The 6-foot-6 Windermere, Florida, native scored 13 of his 15 points in the second half, including three crucial three-pointers that fueled the comeback. His back-to-back triples early in the half quickly cut into Princeton’s cushion and shifted the momentum permanently in Dartmouth’s favor.

For Princeton, the loss was a crushing blow despite Hicke’s magnificent 28-point effort. Support came from Landon Clark, who added 12 points and a key block, and Dalen Davis, who chipped in 13 points off the bench, but the Tigers’ offense stagnated at critical junctures in the second half. Defensive lapses, particularly in containing Williams on the perimeter and Thomas in isolation, proved costly down the stretch.

The result improved Dartmouth’s season record to 9-8 overall and gave them a positive start to the Ivy League weekend. Princeton fell to 6-13, continuing a season of narrow defeats. The Tigers have now played in six games decided by five points or fewer, winning only two of them.

Statistically, the game was a contrast in halves. Princeton’s 38-point first-half output gave way to a 31-point second period, while Dartmouth flipped a 31-point first half into a 40-point explosion after the break. The Big Green’s ability to get key stops and convert in transition was the difference after halftime.

Dartmouth head coach David McLaughlin’s decision to stick with Thomas in the final isolation play was vindicated by the sophomore’s clutch performance. For Princeton coach Mitch Henderson, the search for consistent late-game execution continues as his team prepares for a quick turnaround.

Dartmouth next hosts Columbia on Saturday, while Princeton returns home to face Brown on the same day. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in the regular season finale at Princeton on February 28, a rematch that will undoubtedly carry added significance after Monday’s thrilling conclusion.