Extra security at Terps-Tigers game

ByABC News
March 24, 2015, 1:31 AM

— -- COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- A threat against President Barack Obama's niece, a player on Princeton's women's basketball team, prompted increased security at the Tigers' NCAA tournament game at Maryland on Monday night.

After Monday's game, Princeton coach Courtney Banghart confirmed that she was aware of the threat before tipoff but Leslie Robinson was not. The player did not appear in either of Princeton's NCAA tournament games.

A phone message threatening the Tigers' freshman forward was left at Maryland and the threat was taken seriously. Robinson is the daughter of Craig Robinson, who is the brother of first lady Michelle Obama.

On Saturday, President Obama attended Princeton's 80-70 victory over Wisconsin-Green Bay in the first round, inevitably drawing attention to his niece.

A law enforcement official familiar with the investigation told ABC News it was clear early on that there was no threat, but they had additional man power and stepped up security out of an abundance of caution. No charges have been filed at this time.

Princeton (31-1) lost to Maryland 85-70 on Monday in the second round of the tournament at the Terrapins' arena, the Tigers' only defeat of the season.

"It's incredibly disappointing that the first question we get after being 31-1 [and] in the NCAA tournament is about a freak," Banghart said.

"College Park police, I'm sure, had that under control. Leslie is safe. She's in my locker room. No one loves her like I do. She's an important part of our team," Banghart added. "Keep the freaks out of our gym."

Neither the president nor the first lady attended Monday's game, although Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan sat near Princeton's bench.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.