Ian Hummer moved into second place on Princeton's all-time scoring list/ Photo by JOHN BLAINE

PRINCETON — On his way off the floor, Ian Hummer stopped for hugs and high-fives.

He certainly earned them Friday night.

Hummer delivered one of his best performances, scoring 23 points and grabbing 14 rebounds as Princeton saved its season with a 58-53 victory over Harvard.

In the process, he passed Douglas Davis for second on the school’s all-time scoring list, trailing only the legendary Bill Bradley, who compiled 2,503 points from 1962-65.

True to form, Hummer downplayed the accomplishment.

“It means nothing if I didn’t get the win tonight,” said Hummer, who now has 1,564 career points. “It’s just icing on the cake. First and foremost, I want to be a contender for the Ivy League title and whatever happens, happens. I’m just happy it came in a win.”

With the victory, the Tigers (15-9, 8-2) set themselves on a collision course with the Crimson (17-8, 9-2) to meet in a one-game playoff for the second time in three seasons.

“We know it’s a must-win,” Hummer said. “We were pretty confident coming into this game. I thought we didn’t play our best game up at Harvard, and I know the way we were playing, we could really give them a game. It’s always a dogfight and I’m so glad we came out on top.”

Although he had a nifty left-handed putback with 1:53 left to tie the game and the go-ahead free throws with 1:06 remaining, Hummer’s biggest play wasn’t any basket.

Leading by one, the soon-to-be-crowned Ivy League Player of the Year tipped out a missed free throw with 7.6 seconds left that T.J. Bray acrobatically saved, allowing the Tigers to keep possession and ice the game at the line.

It was the kind of play coach Mitch Henderson is used to watching him make.

“As an alum, it’s fun to watch him play,” Henderson said. “I’m so proud that he wears the orange and black. He just does everything for us.”

Harvard coach Tommy Amaker called Hummer a “monster.”

“What else can you say about the kid?” Amaker said. “I think he made every big play down the stretch for their team.

“I thought he willed their team. … Hummer was not going to be denied tonight.”

Princeton still has work to do with trips to Yale, which beat the Tigers at Jadwin, Brown and the finale at Penn still on tap.

The Tigers control their own destiny when it comes to forcing a one-game playoff.

With Hummer on their side, would you bet against them?