Women’s Basketball Finding Rhythm with Underclassman-Dominated Lineup

Princeton women’s basketball is in the hunt early this season. Following a 10-point loss to Duquesne to open the season, the Tigers are starting to find their rhythm with a team packed with talented young players.

The starting lineup doesn’t look how many expected it to. Madison St. Rose ’26 tore her ACL in the Tigers’ only other loss this season, an eight point defeat at Quinnipiac.

“She was playing some of the best basketball of her career,” said head coach Carla Berube in a press release. “We know that Maddie will attack her rehab and recovery like she does every practice and game with grit, toughness, and an undeniable work ethic.”

St. Rose was key to the Tigers’ success last year, averaging 14.8 points per game, and was expected to be an integral part of the offense this season as a junior. With her season-ending injury, some may have thought that Princeton’s season was on the rocks.

But since Quinnipiac, the Tigers have been on a three-game win streak — all away from Jadwin Gymnasium. Skye Belker ’27 put up 21 points in a victory over Seton Hall (78–75). The Tigers shot above 60% from the field and the three point line to clinch a close one over the Pirates.

The Tiger squad dominated by underclassmen has stepped up. Point guard Ashley Chea ’27 had a standout performance (20 points, nine rebounds) as the Tigers trounced Rutgers 66–49. Fadima Tall ’27 also put up her first career double-double (11 points, 10 rebounds) in the victory.

In a tough matchup against Temple, Chea posted 17 points, Belker 14, and Tabitha Amanze ’26 posted her first career double-double (12 points, 11 rebounds).

Chea has been extremely vocal on the court and appears to have really stepped up into the floor general role she was hoping to take at the beginning of the season. Belker, for her part, looks like she’s gaining confidence as a shooter, and has been a key contributor on offense.

The Tigers have struggled with ball security as a team, averaging 15.9 turnovers per game (compared to 13.2 last season), and that’s an area they’ll need to work on as they gear up for Ivy League play.

First-year Christina Parella ’28 has been a surprise factor for the Tigers. She’s currently shooting 60% from three and averages about 15 minutes per game. Parella could become a key offensive weapon for a Tigers team that’s looking to make adjustments following St. Rose’s injury.

The Tigers are about to make a West Coast swing, playing Portland Dec. 6 and Utah Dec. 8, a rematch of the 2023 second round NCAA March Madness game in which Utah beat the Tigers 63–56 on their home court.

Utah is coming off a 78–67 victory over No. 3 ranked Notre Dame, so it’s likely to be a tough matchup for Princeton. But a strong showing would be both a confidence boost prior to conference play and a possible message to the NCAA when they consider at-large bids later in the season.

The Tigers will be back at Jadwin to play Rhode Island Dec. 11.

You can watch the Portland, Utah, and Rhode Island matchups on ESPN+.