Cornell women’s basketball saw its losing streak reach five games Sunday afternoon, falling 82-50 to Stanford at Maples Pavilion. The Big Red dropped to 4-8 on the season, while the Cardinal improved to 12-2.
Senior Emily Pape delivered a standout performance for Cornell, scoring a game-high 24 points on 9-of-21 shooting. She connected on a career-best six 3-pointers and accounted for all of the Big Red’s first-quarter scoring. Junior Rachel Kaus added 10 points, hitting four shots from the floor and pulling down four rebounds. Clarke Jackson finished with four assists, while Paige Engels also dished out four helpers.
Cornell struggled to find offensive rhythm early, missing its first five shots and going scoreless for more than four minutes before Pape opened the scoring. Stanford gradually pulled away in the second quarter, though a late burst from Kaus kept the Big Red within 40-26 at halftime.
The game turned decisively after the break. Stanford opened the third quarter with a 15-2 run, stretching its advantage to 51-29 and building a 68-39 lead heading into the final period. Cornell, which leaned heavily on perimeter shooting to stay close early, cooled off in the fourth quarter and was limited to one 3-pointer over the final 10 minutes.
Stanford finished shooting 51.5 percent from the field and controlled the paint, outscoring Cornell 56-14 inside. The Cardinal also held a 43-32 rebounding edge and converted 21 Cornell turnovers into 24 points.
Cornell shot 32.8 percent overall and 34.6 percent from beyond the arc, while recording nine steals and four blocks.
The Big Red will open Ivy League play on Saturday, January 3, at Columbia with a 2 p.m. tipoff.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.
