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A huge mistake by the Yale Bulldogs men’s basketball team in the Ivy League tournament finals ended up costing them a March Madness bid.
It was a thrilling second half that ultimately required more time to find a champion, as Penn’s TJ Power hit a game-tying 3-pointer with one second left to force overtime. That gave the Quakers star 40 points and kept their season alive, as the No. 1 seed Bulldogs tried to hold off their conference foe.
But the Quakers managed to come away with an upset 88-84 victory, marking the school’s first NCAA Tournament bid since 2018.
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Penn Quakers forward TJ Power (12) shoots the ball over Providence Friars guard Jaylin Sellers (2) during the second half at Amica Mutual Pavilion on November 11, 2025. (Eric Canha/Imagn Images)
That didn’t seem to be the case, however, as Power made it 86-81 by hitting two free throws to give it a total of 44 points with just 17 seconds left in overtime. The Bulldogs were expected to intentionally start fouling the Quakers, so as not to allow them to break the five-point lead that Yale possessed.
It’s common to be at least three points ahead when fouled late in a game, but Yale’s Casey Simmons let Power run down the court and have a chance to tie the game in the final seconds. The government did not miss this opportunity.
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Riding their momentum, the Quakers, fresh off a close win over No. 2 Harvard to advance to the Ivy League tournament final, dominated the Bulldogs, 13-9, where Power was ultimately a key player. Additionally, Cam Thrower’s three-pointer with 1:59 left in overtime gave Penn a four-point lead that would never be relinquished.
Penn Quakers forward TJ Power (12) goes to the basket against Rutgers Scarlet Knights forward Bryce Dortch (4) during the first half at Jersey Mike’s Arena on December 20, 2025. (Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images)
As Michael Zanoni hit both of his free throws with seven seconds remaining, it iced the win for the Quakers, who will now turn their attention to No. 3 Illinois after entering March Madness as a No. 14 seed.
Power, who played at Duke and Virginia before transferring to Penn, finished with 44 points on 14-of-26 shooting, including 7-of-14 three-pointers. He pulled down 14 rebounds for a double-double, while dishing out two assists and collecting a steal and a blocked shot.
Thrower finished the game with 19 points, shooting an efficient 6 of 10 from the field and grabbing four rebounds.
For Yale, they’ll have to think about what-ifs until next season — the unfortunate flip side of March Madness. This is especially the case when you consider that Trevor Mullin’s final shot to win the match hit the back edge at the other side of the pitch to confirm that extra time was needed for these two rivals.
Penn Quakers forward TJ Power (12) looks to pass during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Jersey Mike’s Arena on December 20, 2025. (Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images)
Sometimes it’s heroism. Other times, it’s mind-blowing mistakes that help determine who gets to dance and who goes home.
