Sophomore Nazir Williams posted his first career double-double to lead six Cornell men’s basketball players in double figures as the Big Red topped Canisius, 79-70, on Tuesday evening at Newman Arena. Cornell improved to 4-1 on the season and extended its non-conference win streak to 10 games in the process, while the Golden Griffins fell to 2-3.
Williams posted 12 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, recording career highs in the latter two categories, as the Big Red won its fourth straight. Guy Ragland Jr. posted 12 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals and Greg Dolan notched 11 points, five assists, four rebounds, and three steals. The trio of Keller Boothby, Isaiah Gray, and Chris Manonnotched 10 apiece for Cornell, who turned the ball over a season-low nine times and shot 49 percent from the floor overall. The home team collected 10 steals, outrebounded Canisius 38-33, and held a double-figure lead for nearly all of the second half.
Jordan Henderson hit six triples en route to 24 points to lead the visitors, with Tahj Staveskie (15 points, six assists) and Jamir Moultire (11 points) also reaching double figures. Canisius shot 53 percent from the floor and assisted on 19 baskets.
Cornell led 45-34 at the break and by as many as 15 in the second half, only to see the visitors hit six consecutive 3-pointers to claw within five with under two minutes remaining. Williams hit a step-through floater in the lane with 1:13 left to curb the run and allow the Big Red some breathing room.
Cornell will return to action after Thanksgiving when it travels to meet Monmouth on Friday, November 25, at 2 p.m. at the OceanFirst Bank Center in West Long Branch, N.J.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].