In a gut-wrenching finale, the Brown Bears saw their Ivy championship aspirations dissolve in the face of a stunning last-second buzzer-beater from the Yale Bulldogs. Despite holding a six-point advantage with a mere 22 seconds remaining, Brown faltered as Yale orchestrated a remarkable comeback, clinching a nail-biting 62-61 victory.
Yale’s Bez Mbeng kickstarted the late surge with a crucial and-one play, narrowing the deficit to 60-57. A swift succession of scoring plays ensued, culminating in a game-tying three-pointer by John Poulakidas with just 14 seconds on the clock.
Brown’s hopes hung in the balance as they missed opportunities from the free-throw line, allowing Yale’s Matt Knowling to deliver the decisive blow with a buzzer-beating floater.
Brown’s journey to the championship game defied expectations, marked by a resolute turnaround from a challenging start to the season. Despite initial doubts, the Bears rallied with a seven-game winning streak, including a stunning upset victory over top-seeded Princeton. Yale, initially expecting a different opponent, found themselves tested by Brown’s resilience.
While Brown fell agonizingly short of securing a coveted NCAA tournament berth, their near-upset against Yale showcased their tenacity and skill. As Yale braces for the tournament ahead, Brown can reflect on their valiant effort with pride, knowing they pushed the eventual champions to their limits.