On Friday, Dartmouth (3-18, 1-6 Ivy) had no answer for Princeton's (17-4, 7-0 Ivy) defensive pressure and second-half shooting. The Big Green played well defensively in the first half, forcing 10 Princeton turnovers. But the Tigers, who currently top the Ivy League standings, caught fire in the second half, shooting 15-for-27 from the floor. The victory extended Princeton's win streak to 17 games in conference play. Throughout the game, Dartmouth had a difficult time stopping Princeton junior Niveen Rasheed, who connected for 15 points one of four Princeton players who scored in double figures.
Dosenko played well in a losing effort, as she picked up her first double-double of the season after scoring 15 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Steen and guard Milica Toskovic '15 both added 10 points for the Big Green. The losses to Princeton and Penn served as Dartmouth's 12th and 13th consecutive home defeats, a streak that dates back to last season.
Steen said that Dartmouth had a tough time adjusting to Princeton's defense, against whom opponents have shot just 35 percent this season, the lowest in the Ivy League.
"We struggled against Princeton's defensive pressure, especially their half-court trap," Steen said. "They pressed us hard, and we had trouble breaking it, so it was hard getting in the flow of our offensive sets. We weren't able to get the ball into the post as well as we would have liked and we took shots too quickly."
The Big Green put up a better fight in its game against the Quakers on Saturday. With 4:41 left in regulation, the Big Green trailed 53-44, but a 9-1 run and a huge three-pointer by Nicola Zimmer '14 cut the deficit to one with two minutes left. With 22 seconds left on the game clock, Dosenko hit a shot under the basket to tie the game at 56. Penn guard Alyssa Baron had a chance to give the Quakers the win with five seconds left, but her attempt fell short.
Dartmouth suffered a defensive lapse in the extra session, however, as the Quakers went off for 17 points in overtime.
"Our defense was not where we wanted it to be in overtime," Dosenko said. "In fact, it wasn't the best throughout the game in general. Penn got a lot of easy open shots and grabbed a lot of offensive rebounds."
Dartmouth turned the ball over 18 times in the game and was outrebounded 40-31.
Dartmouth's two upperclassmen led the team in scoring again, as Steen contributed a game-high 22 points, shooting 10-for-16 from the floor, and Dosenko scored 14 points.
Dosenko's double-digit effort was her fourth straight game in double figures. Steen said Dosenko's play has been a positive force on the team.
"Sasha is showing great senior leadership," Steen said. "In the last few games of her career, she has been playing very aggressively. It is inspiring to see a teammate play so well, and it makes the rest of the girls on the team want to play better."
Steen has a streak of her own going. The junior guard has hit 12 consecutive free throws, and currenty sits third in the NCAA in free-throw percentage. Steen is now 63-for-69 from the stripe for a solid 91.3 percent.
"I really just try to capitalize on my free throws because they are, technically, free,'" Steen said. "When I get fouled, it is usually because I'm being aggressive and taking it to the hole. I don't want to have the opponent get a good foul because I miss a free throw, so I take these opportunites very seriously."
Dosenko said there are specific things the team wants to work on in order to prepare for its last seven games.
"I think we need to work better at getting our offense started," Dosenko said. "We need to set more screens and have more movement. I'd like to see us get the ball in the post more as well because it will open up more scoring options for our team."
Dartmouth hits the road to face Yale University and Brown University next weekend in what will be the first of two consecutive Ivy League road trips. The Big Green will take on the Bulldogs on Friday at 7 p.m. in a game televised by the YES Network followed by a matchup against the Bears at 7 p.m. on Saturday night.
