NEW HAVEN, Conn. (Interstat) — Isaac Celiscar recorded a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds to lead Yale to a 74-70 victory over Penn in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Saturday at Payne Whitney Gymnasium. The Bulldogs, who improved to 20-4, survived a strong challenge from the Quakers, who fell to 13-11. Michael Zanoni scored a game-high 20 points for Penn, and TJ Power added 18 points and eight rebounds. Yale’s Casey Simmons and Samson Aletan each contributed 13 points. Yale, which defeated Penn 77-60 last month, has won three straight. The Quakers had a three-game winning streak snapped.

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (Interstat) — In a game defined by contrasting styles and a frantic final minute, the Yale Bulldogs held off a sharp-shooting Penn team for a 74-70 victory in an Ivy League men’s basketball clash Saturday at a raucous Payne Whitney Gymnasium. The Bulldogs, who improved to 20-4 overall and solidified their position atop the conference, relied on interior dominance and clutch individual play from star forward Isaac Celiscar to overcome a blistering perimeter attack from the Quakers. Penn fell to 13-11 despite connecting on 10 of 19 attempts from three-point range. The most critical sequence unfolded in the game’s final eight seconds. With Yale clinging to a 70-68 lead after Penn’s Michael Zanoni sank a three-pointer with 44 seconds remaining, the Bulldogs worked the clock on their ensuing possession. Celiscar, the game’s standout performer, was fouled with seven seconds left. The junior from Winter Haven, Florida, calmly sank both free throws to push the lead to four. Penn, with no timeouts remaining, rushed the ball upcourt. Ethan Roberts drove hard to the basket but had his layup attempt emphatically blocked by Yale’s Casey Simmons with two seconds on the clock. Trevor Mullin secured the rebound for Yale, was fouled immediately, and iced the game with two more free throws, providing the final margin. The contest was a tale of efficiency inside the arc versus success beyond it. Yale scored 36 points in the paint to Penn’s 22 and owned a decisive 11-5 advantage in offensive rebounds, leading to multiple second-chance opportunities. The Bulldogs attempted 26 three-pointers but made only six, instead leveraging their size and attacking the basket to draw fouls, where they converted 14 of 18 attempts. Penn, conversely, stayed competitive primarily through its long-distance marksmanship. Zanoni, a junior guard from Charlotte, North Carolina, led all Quakers scorers with 20 points, fueled by a 6-for-12 shooting performance that included several crucial three-pointers. TJ Power, a forward from Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, added 18 points and eight rebounds for Penn. Yale’s victory was anchored by Celiscar, who delivered a complete performance with 16 points, 14 rebounds and five assists in 38 minutes. His work on the glass and as a facilitator proved vital, especially during a second-half stretch where Yale built its largest lead. He was supported by a balanced frontcourt effort; center Samson Aletan of Dallas scored 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while Simmons contributed 13 points, seven rebounds and three blocks, including the game-sealing rejection. The Bulldogs’ offensive rating of 109.5 on 68 possessions outpaced Penn’s 100.5 on 70 possessions, underscoring Yale’s more effective shot selection and ability to generate higher-quality looks near the rim. Penn led early, capitalizing on hot shooting to build a small advantage, but Yale’s persistent interior attack and rebounding gradually turned the tide. The Bulldogs took a 35-33 lead into halftime and managed to maintain a slim advantage throughout much of the second half, despite Penn repeatedly answering with timely three-pointers to stay within one possession. The win extends Yale’s winning streak to three games following overtime victories over Harvard and Howard earlier in the month. The Bulldogs now prepare for a pivotal road trip next weekend to Cornell and Columbia. Penn, which had won three of its last four games entering the contest, looks to rebound at home next weekend against Dartmouth and Harvard. According to National Statistical’s ELO system, Yale entered the game with a 91.9% probability to win and was a 9.5-point pregame favorite. The combined score of 144 fell under the over/under line of 152.5.

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (Interstat) — A pivotal Ivy League rematch with championship implications is set for Saturday when the Yale Bulldogs host the Penn Quakers at Payne Whitney Gymnasium. The Bulldogs (19-4, 8-1 Ivy), riding a five-game winning streak, sit atop the conference standings and can take a major step toward securing the regular-season title. The Quakers (13-10, 6-3), winners of three straight, aim to avenge a 77-60 home loss to Yale on Jan. 24 and tighten the race. Yale, led by versatile forward Isaac Celiscar, has been dominant in league play. Celiscar posted a triple-double with 12 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in the first meeting against Penn. He is coming off a 40-minute, 17-point performance in a critical 76-75 overtime road win at Harvard last Saturday. Penn counters with guard AJ Levine, who has been instrumental during its recent surge. Levine scored 16 points in an 82-76 win over Cornell last Saturday and tallied 17 points and seven assists in the prior loss to Yale. His backcourt play will be crucial against Yale’s stout defense. The Bulldogs have defended their home court fiercely, boasting a 10-1 record at Payne Whitney this season. Their balanced attack, featuring Casey Simmons and Jordan Brathwaite alongside Celiscar, presents a multifaceted challenge. Penn’s resurgence has been fueled by improved scoring, with Jay Jones and TJ Power providing consistent support for Levine. To reverse January’s result, the Quakers must improve their offensive efficiency after shooting just 36.2% from the field in the first matchup. Yale won the rebounding battle 42-28 in the January contest, a key area Penn must address. The Bulldogs’ depth and experience in close games, evidenced by recent overtime victories, will be tested against a Penn team fighting for its postseason positioning. Tipoff is scheduled for Saturday afternoon. Yale visits Cornell next Friday, while Penn hosts Dartmouth.