MUNCIE, Ind. — Mike Bechtold and Kyle Wente each scored 13 points as Princeton defeated Weber State 65-60 in overtime Friday in the First Merchants Classic.
Princeton (1-2) led 52-44, its largest lead of the game, with 59 seconds left in regulation. But Weber State (2-2) scored five straight points to cut the deficit to three.
Princeton clung to a 54-49 lead with 28 seconds remaining, but Weber State's Ivan Gatto made a 3-pointer, his only points of the game. Wente then made one-of-two free throws to push the lead back to three.
Weber State's John Hamilton hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to send the game into overtime.
Princeton went on to score six of its 10 overtime points on free throws.
Ed Persia and C.J. Chapman both scored 11 points for Princeton, which was 12-of-38 from 3-point range, including three each from Bechtold, Persia and Chapman.
Weber State got 13 points apiece from Damon King and Quynn Tebbs. Stephan Bachmann scored 11 points and Chris Woods grabbed 11 rebounds.
Weber State opened the game with a 12-8 lead, but Princeton went on a 12-1 run and led 26-25 at the half.