BUFFALO – For the third consecutive game, the Big Red women's basketball team found itself in a 50/50 game entering the final quarter, and for the first time this season Cornell pulled out the victory, downing Canisius, 67-59, at the Koessler Athletic Center. The baby Big Red, one of just two teams nationwide to return zero starters for the 2017-18 season, continued its progression forward this afternoon, outscoring the Griffs 20-14 in the final stanza to earn its first win of the season.
 
Cornell (1-4) was led by career-highs from Samantha Widmann and Christine Ehland, with 27 and 17 points, respectively. Ehland also grabbed a game-high eight rebounds, while Widmann finished with six boards and five steals. Despites the big days from Widmann and Ehland, the win was a total team effort, with Stephanie Umeh chipping in eight points, while Danielle Jorgenson finishing with six points and six assists. Freshman Elodie Fury was a solid defensive presence grabbing five rebounds, to go along with three steals and one blocked shots.
 
Overall, the Big Red's defense was impressive, forcing Canisius into 21 turnovers, nearly double its season average, leading to 25 points off Griffs's miscues. Cornell, on the other hand, finished with a season-low seven turnovers.
 
Canisius (2-2) was led by Maria Welch (18) and Sara Hinriksdottir (11), while the Big Red defense held the Griffs' leading scorer, Margaret Halfdanardottir, to just five points.
 
After battling to a 13-13 tie at the end of 10 minutes, Cornell used an efficient press and smothering defense to open the second quarter with 11 unanswered points, building a 24-13 lead at the 5:04 mark. Foul trouble hampered the Big Red effort and Canisius managed to close the gap over the final five minutes, cutting Cornell's lead to 27-25 at the half.
 
The Griffs knotted the game early in the third quarter with a trey from Welch, but an offensive putback by Widmann on Cornell's next possession returned the lead to the visitors. The teams battled back-and-forth and the Big Red took the slim 47-45 lead into the fourth quarter.
 
Clinging to a 47-45 lead to open the fourth quarter, the visitors used a 5-2 run with layups from Widman and Ehland to get some breathing room with 7:40 to play. From there, the Big Red never trailed again, thanks in large part to Ehland, who scored nine points during the critical fourth quarter.
 
Cornell shot .369 from the floor and .214 from beyond the arc, while the Griffs connected on .440 percent overall and .333 from 3-point range. Canisius held the slim edge on the boards, 38-38.
 
The Big Red will return from the Thanksgiving break to take on Lafayette at Newman Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 28 at 7 p.m.