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ITHACA, N.Y. -- Bucknell shot 56 percent form the floor in the second half to overcome a career-high 21-point, eight-rebound effort from Cornell sophomore Errick Peck in a 75-64 Bison victory over the Big Red on Monday evening at Newman Arena. Bucknell evened its record at 6-6, while Cornell lost its seventh straight game to fall to 2-8.
Peck was an efficient 9-of-12 from the floor, continuing his strong play since rejoining the starting lineup. He added eight rebounds, an assist, a steal and an emphatic blocked shot. Max Groebe hit five 3-pointers en route to 15 points, while Chris Wroblewski hit for 12 points with three assists and a pair of rebounds. Cornell turned the ball over just nine times, but couldn't contend with Bucknell's siza advantage in the paint.
Bucknell controleld the paint in the second half to end the contest with a 37-28 advantage and got 20 points and nine rebounds from Mike Muscala, while Bryan Cohen had a solid floor game with 17 points and eight rebounds. Joe Willman had a breakout game for the Bison with 15 points and nine rebounds, while Darryl Shazier was his steady self at the point in collecting six points, seven assists, three rebounds and two steals. Bryson Johnson scored nine points on three 3-pointers and G.W. Boon had eight points off the bench. Bucknell shot 56 percent from the floor after halftime (14-of-25) and made 6-of-9 from beyond the arc (67 percent) while committing just 10 turnovers.
The Bison came out hot, making seven of their first eight shots, but Cornell's defense was able to tamp them down some, erasing an early nine-point deficit (15-6) by chipping away. The Big Red got within one points twice in the first half, the second time when Peck stole a Bison pass in the corner, ran the length of the court and dunked it home with 19 seconds left in the half to make it 32-31 Bucknell. Peck made 7-of-8 shots in the half for 15 points, while Groebe scored 12 on four 3-pointers as the duo scored 27 of the squad's 31 points in the first 20 minutes. After the Bison's hot start, the visitors made just 4 of their final 17 shots to finish the half at 44 percent from the floor.
Cornell quickly took the lead with a jumper by Peck 10 seconds into the second half, then hit a trey a minute later to go up 2 (36-34), Cornell's largest lead of the half. After falling behind by six, Cornell again clawed back before consecutive 3-pointers by Groebe and Drew Ferry gave the home team the lead 47-46 with 12 minutes to play. The Bison offense was able to come alive, going on a 10-0 run to turn the one-point deficit into a nine-point Bucknell lead with just under eight minutes to play. Willman scored seven points during the decisive run, including a tough turnaround jumper and a three-point play off a great find by Shazier down low. Cornell crept back within four (56-52) with seven minutes left after Wire hit a straight-on 3-pointer from the top of the key, but Willman answered with consecutive baskets to make the lead eight.
The Big Red again stayed around, getting back within four (64-60) after a driving layup by Wroblewski. Muscala answered with a pair of free-throws after a long offensive possession and the Big Red never were able to get back within six the rest of the way.
Cornell will attempt to snap its skid when it meets New Hampshire after the holiday break as part of the 2010 VCU Christmas Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 29 at 5 p.m. in Richmond, Va.
