The Cornell men’s basketball team overcame an 11-point deficit with a 20-2 run to close out the contest to stun Delaware, 74-67, on Thursday evening at the Bob Carpenter Center. The Big Red won its sixth straight to improve to 6-1, while the Blue Hens slipped to 3-4.
Senior Greg Dolan scored 11 of his game-high 15 points in the final three minutes, including hitting a dagger 3-pointer with 15 seconds remaining to steal one on the road. In all, seven Big Red players tallied at least nine points, with Nazir Williams (11 points, four rebounds, three assists) and Max Watson (10 points) also reaching double figures. Four others scored nine apiece, with Isaiah Gray chipping in four rebounds and four assists, Sean Hansen grabbing six rebounds, dishing five assists, and collecting three steals, and Guy Ragland and Keller Boothby combining to hit five of the team’s 10 3-pointers. The Ivy League’s leader in steals, Chris Manon, had two on the night, including one that led to the go-ahead basket with just over a minute to play.
After struggling offensively most of the night, Cornell hit its final eight field goals to end the night at 47 percent shooting. It made 59 percent from the floor, including 5-of-10 from beyond the arc, in the second half alone. Cornell had 20 assists and just 10 turnovers and forced 18 Delaware miscues. The Big Red had a mammoth 27-9 in points off turnovers that proved to be the difference in the game.
Delaware had five double-figure scorers, with Jyare Davis leading the way with 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Christian Ray posted a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double, and Jameer Nelson Jr. had 13 points, five assists, and four rebounds. The Blue Hens shot 49 percent overall but made just 8-of-27 from beyond the arc in the loss.
The Big Red returns home to face Lafayette on Sunday, December, 4 at 1 p.m. at Newman Arena.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].