IN PHOTOS: Yale basketball wins Ivy Championship, bid to March Madness Photos by Christina Lee. Words by Ben Raab.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Yale is headed back to March Madness.

Yale (22–7, 13–1 Ivy) defeated Cornell (18–11, 9–5 Ivy) 90–84 in the Ivy League Championship on Sunday, officially securing a spot in March Madness for the third time in four years.

On Saturday, the Bulldogs snuck by Princeton 59-57 in the Ivy semifinals thanks to clutch late baskets from senior guards Bez Mbeng '25 and John Poulakidas '25.

Yale guards Bez Mbeng(2) '25 and John Poulakidas(4) '25

Yale guard Trevor Mullin(11) '27 drives to the hoop against Princeton

Yale guard Trevor Mullin(11) '27 and center Samson Aletan(10) '27 box out for a rebound

Yale hangs on to defeat Princeton after the Tigers miss a three-point attempt in the game's final seconds

This will be Yale’s eighth ever appearance in March Madness and fifth appearance since 2016. Last season, the Bulldogs made the tournament’s second round for the second time in program history after upsetting No. 4 seeded Auburn in Spokane.

Guards Bez Mbeng(left) '25 and John Poulakidas(right) '25 were both named to the All-Ivy tournament team

Against Cornell on Sunday, Poulakidas, the Ivy League's leading scorer, had 23 second-half points to push the Elis past the Big Red in a back-and-forth game.

Yale's John Poulakidas(4) '25 drives for a layup

Yale's Casey Simmons(14) '27 was a key contributor in both games. The 6'7 forward scored 13 points and added elite defense in the Bulldogs win over Cornell.

Guard Bez Mbeng(2) '27 makes a pass

Yale huddles with a six point lead in the game's final minutes

The Bulldogs are now in Denver, where they are set to face No. 4 seeded Texas A&M in the NCAA Tournament’s round of 64.

Yale players and coaches gather to celebrate the victory

Former Yale president Peter Salovey joins the celebration

The winner of Thursday’s game will play the winner of No. 5 Michigan vs No. 12 UC San Diego in the tournament’s round of 32.

Contact Christina Lee at christina.lee.sl2844@yale.edu and Ben Raab at ben.raab@yale.edu.