Grace Renners delivered a go-ahead putback with 49 seconds remaining, and Kelsey Langston blocked a potential tying 3-pointer at the buzzer as Cornell beat Canisius 64-61 Friday night at Newman Arena.
Clarke Jackson led Cornell with 16 points and six rebounds, while Rachel Kaus added 14 points, four rebounds and three assists, according to Cornell Athletics. The Big Red improved to 2-2 and handed Canisius its first loss in three games.
Cornell closes out another tight finish
Renners scored all six of her points in the fourth quarter. Her offensive rebound and basket in the final minute helped Cornell withstand a Canisius team that repeatedly erased small deficits but never led after halftime.
Kaus secured a defensive rebound on the next Canisius possession, and Audrey Chen made two free throws with 15 seconds remaining to give Cornell a four-point cushion. Shariah Gailes answered with a putback with one second left before Kaus made one of two foul shots.
Langston then blocked Mary Copple’s attempt from beyond the arc to finish a game that included seven lead changes and six ties.
Jackson made seven of 13 shots and collected three offensive rebounds. Kaus went 6-for-10 at the line, setting a career high for free-throw attempts. Chen and Katie Leonard each scored eight points.
Second-quarter response puts Big Red ahead
Jackson and Ally Pape each hit an early 3-pointer as Cornell moved ahead 10-5. Canisius responded with eight consecutive points and finished the opening quarter with a 17-14 lead.
Cornell outscored the visitors 19-13 in the second quarter, making eight of 10 free throws. Pape’s second 3-pointer gave the Big Red a 26-23 advantage, though Canisius briefly regained the lead late in the half.
Jackson answered with a fast-break basket, and Kaus added two foul shots in the final minute to send Cornell into halftime ahead 33-30.
Maria Sánchez Pitarch made two third-quarter 3-pointers that each brought Canisius within one. Sofia Vitucci tied the game at 46 before a Chen jumper helped Cornell take a 49-48 lead into the fourth. Chen scored six points in the third quarter.
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Leonard, Renners and Jackson supplied early fourth-quarter baskets, but Canisius stayed close enough to force the final-minute finish.
Mercyhurst visits Wednesday
Sánchez Pitarch led Canisius with 11 points. Gailes finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Vitucci and Celena Grant scored nine apiece. The Golden Griffins held a 34-24 rebounding advantage and outscored Cornell 41-23 off the bench.
Cornell made 23 of 57 shots, or 40.4%, and finished 15-for-21 at the foul line. The Big Red forced 17 turnovers and converted them into 17 points.
The victory was Cornell’s fourth straight against Canisius, which still leads the series 7-5.
Cornell hosts Mercyhurst at Newman Arena at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, with coverage on ESPN+. The Big Red has won both previous meetings with the Lakers, including a 53-49 road victory last season.
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