The Yale men’s basketball team is preparing for two upcoming road games against Cornell and Columbia as it seeks to extend its five-game winning streak. The Bulldogs will play Cornell on Friday, Feb. 27, at Newman Arena in Ithaca, New York, with the game broadcast on ESPNU. The following day, they face Columbia at Levien Gymnasium in New York City, with coverage available on ESPN+.
In their most recent outing, Yale secured a 74-70 victory over Penn. Isaac Celiscar led the team with a double-double and contributed key points during a late run that helped maintain the lead. As Penn closed the gap in the final minute, Celiscar and Trevor Mullin converted free throws to seal the win.
Yale currently leads the nation in three-point shooting percentage at 41 percent and ranks highly in other statistical categories such as assist-to-turnover ratio and field goal percentage. Four players—Nick Townsend (16.5 points per game), Celiscar (12.4), Mullin (11.5), and Riley Fox (11.5)—are averaging double-digit scoring this season.
Townsend stands out among Ivy League players, ranking eighth in scoring, second in rebounding and assists, and first in three-point field goal percentage at 50.7 percent. Celiscar has been consistent as well, reaching double figures in scoring for 20 games this season and recording four career double-doubles.
Other notable performances include Samson Aletan leading the conference in blocks per game while Casey Simmons matched his career high with three blocks against Penn.
Several scenarios could see Yale clinch at least a share of the Ivy League title this weekend depending on results from their own games as well as outcomes involving Princeton and Harvard.
Throughout the season, Townsend has reached significant milestones including his 1,000th career point and was named Ivy League Player of the Week multiple times. Head Coach James Jones achieved his 425th career victory earlier this year.
Cornell enters Friday’s matchup fourth in the Ivy League standings with an overall record of 12-12 after losing to Harvard last Saturday. In that game, Cornell struggled offensively and was held to a season-low 54 points while making just three of twenty-two attempts from beyond the arc.
Columbia holds sixth place in league standings with a record of 15-10 following a narrow loss to Dartmouth where they lost their lead in the final seconds at the free throw line.
Yale previously defeated both Cornell (102-68) and Columbia (91-74) earlier this season when playing at home.
Following these road contests, Yale will return home to host Princeton for Senior Day on March 7.
