ITHACA, N.Y. -- Cornell controlled the backboards and limited Fairfield to 25 percent shooting for the game in winning a defensive war, 59-35, on Thursday afternoon at Newman Arena. The Big Red improved to 5-4, while the Stags fell to 3-5.

Cornell held Fairfield to single digits in scoring in three of the quarters and to just 11 in the fourth, taking control during a 10-minute span of the first and second quarters that resulted in a 12-0 run that changed the game. Fairfield shot just 21 percent in the first half and 30 percent after halftime, and when they missed, Cornell controlled the rebounding battle. The Big Red dominated the Stags on the glass 50-32.

Nia Marshall posted her first double-double of the year with 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Nicholle Aston had 18 points and six rebounds and Maddie Campbell ripped down a career-high 13 boards to go along with five points and five assists. In all, Cornell shot 47 percent after the break and 41 percent for the game, blowing the game open with a 28-point third quarter after going into halftime leading 24-15. Kerri Moran had six points and five assists.

Casey Smith was the lone double figure scorer for Fairfield with 10 points and Kristen Schatzlein had seven points, though they came on 3-of-13 shooting. The Stags turned the ball over just 10 times, but its 3-of-19 day from beyodn the arc assured there would be no late comeback.

A first half defensive battle ensued, with the Big Red getting the better of it. The home team took advantage of the early start to allow just 20 percent shooting from the field and kept the Stags to single digits in both the first two quarters to go into the break up 24-15. Cornell also controlled the backboards, holding a 24-19 edge with both Marshall and Campbell ripping down seven rebounds each. The Big Red held Fairfield scoreless for a 10:11 stretch spanning the two quarters to turn a one-point deficit into an 11-point lead as part of a 12-0 run.

Despite the cold start, the Stags didn't allow the Big Red to run away with it thanks to some outstanding defense itself. Fairfield held Cornell to 36 percent shooting and forced seven turnovers, including an 0-for-5 effort from beyond the arc.

Cornell quelled any chance of a Fairfield comeback with a 28-point outburst in the third quarter. Marshall scored six straight during the Big Red's 13-0 run that turned a 10-point game into a 23-point advantage. Cornell led by as many as 26 (52-26) when Moran beat the buzzer at the end of the third. Fairfield never got closer than 20 points in the fourth.

The Big Red will head to California to take on No. 12/15 Stanford on Saturday, Dec. 19 and Cal State Fullerton on Monday, Dec. 21.