Penn Tops Yale in Ivy League Tournament Final

TJ Power's late heroics lift Quakers to NCAA Tournament berth

Mar. 16, 2026 at 2:10am

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TJ Power scored 44 points, including a pair of 3-pointers in the final seven seconds of regulation, as Penn defeated Yale 88-84 in overtime to win the Ivy League tournament championship and advance to the NCAA Tournament. Power added 14 rebounds for the Quakers, who are headed to the Big Dance for the first time since 2018 under first-year head coach Fran McCaffery.

Why it matters

The Ivy League tournament final is a highly anticipated matchup between two of the top programs in the conference, with the winner earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Penn's victory over Yale, a perennial Ivy power, is a significant accomplishment that will give the Quakers a chance to compete on the national stage.

The details

Power's heroics in the final seconds of regulation, including two clutch 3-pointers, allowed Penn to force overtime against Yale. In the extra period, Power added four more points on free throws to seal the victory for the Quakers. The win marks Penn's first Ivy League tournament title since 2018 and just the second since 2008.

  • The Ivy League tournament final was played on Sunday, March 16, 2026 in Ithaca, New York.
  • Penn last reached the NCAA Tournament in 2018.

The players

TJ Power

A standout player for Penn, scoring 44 points with 14 rebounds in the Ivy League tournament final.

Fran McCaffery

In his first year as Penn's head coach, he has led the Quakers to their second NCAA Tournament appearance since 2008.

Trevor Mullin

The leading scorer for Yale with 22 points in the Ivy League tournament final.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

Penn's victory over Yale in the Ivy League tournament final is a significant accomplishment for the Quakers, who are returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in several years under a new head coach. The game featured an impressive individual performance by TJ Power, who led Penn to the win with his late-game heroics.