The Cornell men’s basketball team won the 1,300th game in program history, leading from wire-to-wire in a 96-64 triumph over Lehigh on Tuesday evening at Newman Arena. The Big Red remained unbeaten at home (5-0) and improved to 8-3, while the Mountain Hawks slipped to 5-6.
It was a layup line in the first half and a 3-point shooting gallery in the second as the Big Red improved to 11-0 all-time against Lehigh in Ithaca. Cornell shot 51 percent overall and made 12 of its 15 3-pointers after halftime while dominating every aspect of the game. The Big Red tallied 22 assists against just three turnovers, had 10 steals, won the battle of the backboards (40-31), and held the visitors to 36 percent shooting in the decisive first half to snap a two-game skid and collect the 1,300th win in program history (1,300-1,474-2) in 124 years of Cornell men’s basketball.
Four players reached double figures for Cornell with Greg Dolan’s 16 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals leading the way. Guy Ragland Jr. (13 points, five rebounds) and Max Watson (12 points, three rebounds) led a 50-11 scoring edge from the reserves, while Nazir Williams was in double figures for the seventh consecutive contest with 11 points, five rebounds, and three assists. Both Keller Boothby and Sean Hansen scored eight points apiece and Chris Manon was +25 in 18 minutes with his six points, three rebounds, three assists, and four steals. Fourteen players scored, with Ryan Kiachian and AK Okereke scoring their first collegiate buckets.
Keith Higgins Jr. had a game-high 21 points, Evan Taylor notched 10 points and eight boards and Jakob Alamudun tallied 15 points and six rebounds in the loss for Lehigh. The visitors shot 52 percent from the floor after halftime, but couldn’t cut into the lead as the Big Red got hot from beyond the arc.
The Cornell men’s basketball team will play its final game before the holiday break when it visits defending Patriot League champion Colgate on Thursday, December 22 at Cotterell Court in Hamilton, N.Y.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].