ITHACA, N.Y. – The Cornell women's basketball team will be back in action at Newman Arena this weekend as it prepares to battle Ivy League foes Harvard on Friday, Feb. 14 at 6 p.m. and Dartmouth on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 5 p.m. in Ithaca, N.Y.

GAME INFORMATION

GAME #19: Cornell vs. Harvard
GAME TIME: Friday, Feb. 14 at 6 p.m.
GAME SITE: Newman Arena (Ithaca, N.Y.)
SERIES RECORD: Harvard leads, 70-12
LAST MEETING: Harvard won, 80-38, on March 8, 2019 (Cambridge, Mass.)
2019-20 RECORDS: Cornell (9-9, 2-4 Ivy League), Harvard (13-6, 4-2 Ivy League)
LIVE VIDEO (ESPN+): es.pn/31L4tvQ
LIVE STATS: bit.ly/3brcBpU
TICKETS: bit.ly/2SCRNTD

GAME #20: Cornell vs. Dartmouth
GAME TIME: Saturday, Feb. 15 at 5 p.m.
GAME SITE: Newman Arena (Ithaca, N.Y.)
SERIES RECORD: Dartmouth leads, 59-22
LAST MEETING: Cornell won, 57-47, on March 9, 2019 (Hanover, N.H.)
2019-20 RECORDS: Cornell (9-9, 2-4 Ivy League), Dartmouth (7-12, 1-5 Ivy League)
LIVE VIDEO (ESPN+): es.pn/3bwuTWU
LIVE STATS: bit.ly/3brcBpU
TICKETS: bit.ly/2vthWML
PROMOTIONAL EVENT: #DontBearItAlone Green Game

*Records prior to Friday's contests.

FULL GAME NOTES

SETTING THE SCENE:

• After two tough road contests against Princeton and Penn last weekend, the Cornell women's basketball team will look to bounce back and snap a three-game losing streak when it returns to Newman Arena to host Harvard and Dartmouth.
• The Crimson enter Friday's contest coming off a weekend sweep of Yale and Brown, as Harvard handed the Bulldogs its first conference loss of the season last Friday.
• Dartmouth will be hungry to get back in the win column this weekend, having lost five straight.
• The Big Green's lone conference win came in the first week of Ivy League play, as Dartmouth defeated Harvard, 63-62, on a last-minute steal and lay-up in the closing seconds of the contest on Jan. 11.

QUICK HITS:

• Cornell squared off against preseason Ivy League favorites, Princeton and Penn, last weekend, falling to both the Tigers (60-29) and the Quakers (63-41).
• The Big Red will look to get back on track when it returns home to Newman Arena in Ithaca, N.Y. this weekend.
• Samantha Will notched a season-best seven points against Princeton, shooting 2-of-2 from the field and the free throw line and finishing the contest just one off of her career-high point total.
• Halley Miklos and Laura Bagwell-Katalinich paced the Big Red against Penn, each contributing 10 points and seven rebounds. Miklos' 10 points marked a season best, and the junior also notched a career-high two blocks.
• Senior forward Laura Bagwell-Katalinich was named one of 30 candidates for the Senior CLASS Award in collegiate women's basketball earlier this season, becoming only the second Cornell women's basketball player to receive this honor (Allyson DiMagno '14).
• Bagwell-Katalinich has been a scoring machine during her two seasons with the Big Red, notching double figures in 36 out of the 44 games she has played in a Cornell uniform.
• Samantha Widmann has worked her way into the top-10 all-time in Cornell women's basketball history in career offensive rebounds (5th - 204) and career defensive rebounds (8th - 368), as well as career steals (8th - 162).
• Cornell has protected the glass with pride this season, regularly out-rebounding its opponent. The Big Red currently owns a +8.6 rebounding margin, a mark which leads the Ivy League and ranks 19th in all of Division I.
• Dayna Smith, the Rebecca Quinn Morgan '60 Head Coach of Women's Basketball, is now just three wins away from amassing 200 for her career. She stands as the winningest coach in Big Red women's basketball history.
• The Cornell/Harvard game features the two longest tenured active coaches in the Ivy League, with Harvard's Kathy Delaney-Smith (38th season) and Cornell's Dayna Smith (18th season).

#DontBearItAlone:

• The Big Red will host its #DontBearItAlone Green Game on Saturday against Dartmouth to shed light on the importance of mental health.
• The #DontBearItAlone campaign, which was started by Cornell's Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), was created to improve awareness of mental health issues and resources available to student-athletes.
• A table with mental health resources and t-shirts for sale will be available to fans at the game.

THE SERIES VS. HARVARD:

• Harvard owns a commanding 70-12 series advantage over the Big Red dating back to 1974-75.
• Of Cornell's 12 wins over the Crimson, 11 have come in Ithaca, and the 12th was at a neutral site.
• The Big Red's last victory over Harvard came during the 2016-17 season, when Cornell won 57-52 in Ithaca, N.Y. to snap an 18-game skid against the Crimson at the time.
• The Crimson have since won the last four meetings, including both matchups a season ago.

A WIN OVER HARVARD WOULD:

• Improve the Big Red to 10-9 overall and 3-4 in Ivy League play.
• Be Cornell's first victory over Harvard since the 2016-17 season.
• Snap a three-game losing streak for the Big Red.
• Be Cornell's fourth victory at Newman Arena in its last five home contests.
• Give Coach Smith 198 career victories, only two away from notching 200 for her career.

SCOUTING HARVARD (13-6, 4-2 Ivy):

• Harvard enters Friday's contest having swept Brown and Yale last weekend, handing the Bulldogs its first Ivy League loss of the season.
• Friday's game between the Crimson and Big Red will be a battle on the boards between two of the best rebounding teams in the conference, as Harvard leads the Ivy League in rebounding offense (43.2/game) and defensive rebounds (29.6/game).
• Jeannie Boehm leads the Ivy League in rebounding, averaging 9.6/game.
• Freshman Lola Mullaney has led the Crimson offense, averaging 15.5 points per game.
• A three-time Ivy League Rookie of the Week this season, Mullaney averages a conference-best 3.2 made triples per game.

THE SERIES VS. DARTMOUTH:

• Dartmouth holds a distinct 59-22 advantage over Cornell dating back to 1976-77.
• Dartmouth might be up on the Big Red in the all-time series, but Cornell holds a 13-11 lead over the Big Green in the past 24 meetings.
• The Big Red had a five-game winning streak, the longest by Cornell in the history of the series, ended in 2014-15 at Leede Arena, and the teams have split the home-and-home series in each of the last five seasons.
• Cornell won the last meeting between the two schools, a 57-47 victory for the Big Red at Leede Arena on March 9, 2019. The victory secured Cornell's spot in the 2019 Ivy League Tournament.

A WIN OVER DARTMOUTH WOULD:

• Be Cornell's second-straight victory over the Big Green dating back to last season.
• Be the Big Red's ninth win against Dartmouth in the last 10 matchups against the Big Green at Newman Arena.

SCOUTING DARTMOUTH (7-12, 1-5 Ivy):

• Barring the results of its game against Columbia on Friday, Dartmouth enters Saturday's contest on a five-game losing streak.
• The Big Green has been led this season by Annie McKenna, who leads the Ivy League in assists (4.4/game) and is averaging a team-best 11.8 points per game.
• McKenna has climbed up Dartmouth's all-time list for career assists, ranking 10th in Big Green history with 254 career helpers. She posted nine assists in Dartmouth's loss to Brown last Friday.
• Dartmouth has been led on the boards by Paula Lenart, whose 7.1 rebounds per game currently ranks fifth in the Ivy League.

SEASON NOTES TO KNOW:

• The Big Red is 8-0 when it has scored at least 70 points.
• Seven of the Big Red's nine wins have come when Cornell has held its opponent to fewer than 60 points.
• The Big Red is 8-0 when it is leading with two minutes left in the game.
• Samantha Widmann has started 71 and played in 97 consecutive games.
• Laura Bagwell-Katalinich and Samantha Widmann have combined to lead the team in rebounding in every contest of the 2019-20 campaign.
• Laura Bagwell-Katalinich and Samantha Widmann have scored in double-figures 13 and 12 times, respectively, this season. 

NON-CONFERENCE SUCCESS:

With its 7-5 record in non-conference play, the Big Red has secured a winning non-conference record in seven of the last eight seasons.

CONSISTENCY IS KEY:

The Big Red has stuck with the same starting-five in all 18 contests that it has played this season. Freshman point guard Shannon Mulroy, junior guard Kate Sramac, senior guard/forward Samantha Widmann, junior forward Halley Miklos, and senior forward Laura Bagwell-Katalinich have gotten the starting nod for the Big Red every time it has taken the floor this season.

PROTECTING THE RIM:

The Big Red has protected the rim this season, outrebounding its opponent on 12 occasions while holding its opponents to an Ivy League-best 30.6 rebounds/game. The Big Red has mastered the art of creating second chances, leading the Ivy League in offensive rebounds at 14.2 per game. Just as impressive, the Big Red currently leads the Ivy League and ranks 19th in the nation in rebounding margin, out-rebounding its opponents by an average of 8.6 rebounds per game.

SHARING THE WEALTH:

Cornell has been selfless with the basketball this season, leading the Ivy League as a team in assists/game (15.9) and having three student-athletes ranked in the top-15 of the conference in this statistical category: Shannon Mulroy (7th – 2.9 apg), Kate Sramac (11th – 2.8 apg), and Samantha Widmann (12th – 2.7 apg). Thanks to this team effort, Cornell sits 36th in the nation in assists/game.

POINTS IN THE PAINT:

Cornell has found a way to generate high percentage shots through its 18 contests, and the team has capitalized on them, currently ranking second in the Ivy League and 68th in the nation in field goal percentage (.427). The Big Red is averaging 31.6 points in the paint per game, accounting for nearly half of the team's scoring.

STEALING THE SHOW:

Kate Sramac (1.9 spg) and Samantha Widmann (1.8 spg) have put the pressure on the opposition, forcing turnovers and collecting steals, as the pair currently ranks fourth and seventh, respectively, in the Ivy League in steals per game. Widmann has had a knack for stealing the basketball over the course of her career, as her 162 career steals ranks eighth all-time in Cornell women's basketball history.

HOT HANDS:

Shannon Mulroy has come into her own from behind the arc as of late, sinking at least one 3-point field goal in each of Cornell's last seven contests, including a career-high seven against Columbia on Jan. 25. Mulroy, along with Kate Sramac, have helped the Big Red rise to second in the Ivy League in three-point shooting percentage (0.347), as the pair is currently shooting .388 and .347, respectively, from behind the arc.

THREE'S COMPANY:

Laura Bagwell-Katalinich (13.2 ppg), Samantha Widmann (13.2 ppg) and Shannon Mulroy (9.9 ppg) have been the core of the Big Red offense this season, accounting for nearly 60 percent of the team's scoring. Mulroy has elevated her play since Ivy League action got underway, averaging 13.8 points per game through Cornell's first six conference contests.

REBOUNDING MAGNETS:

Laura Bagwell-Katalinich (7.4 rpg) and Samantha Widmann (7.0 rpg) have been key contributors to Cornell's strong rebounding presence, as one of the two has led the team in rebounding in every game of the 2019-20 campaign. The pair currently ranks fourth and sixth, respectively, in the Ivy League in rebounds per game.

WIDMANN SURPASSES 1,000:

With her second basket in Cornell's contest against Columbia on Jan. 25, 2020, Samantha Widmann became the 15th player in Big Red women's basketball history to score 1,000 career points. Widmann has now scored 1,058 points for her career, the 14th-most in program history.

MOVING ON UP:

Samantha Widmann has worked her way into the top-10 all-time in Cornell women's basketball history in career offensive rebounds (5th - 204) and career defensive rebounds (8th - 368), as well as career steals (8th - 162).

NCAA TEAM RANKINGS:

As a team, Cornell ranks within the top-100 of the NCAA in the following statistical categories:
• 19th in rebounding margin (+8.6)
• 36th in assists per game (15.9)
• 49th in 3-pt field goal percentage (.347)
• 68th in field goal percentage (.427)
• 75th in scoring defense (59.9)
• 97th in forced turnovers per game (17.8)

NCAA INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS:

Samantha Widmann is making her presence known on the national stage, ranking in the top-100 of the NCAA in the following statistical categories:
• 53rd in field goal percentage (.525)
• 82nd in minutes played per game (35.3)

IVY LEAGUE INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS:

The following Big Red student-athletes rank among the best in the Ivy League in the following statistical categories:
• Samantha Widmann – 2nd in field goal percentage (.525), 2nd in minutes played (35.1/game), 6th in rebounding (7.0 rpg), 7th in steals (1.8 spg), 10th in scoring (13.2 ppg), 12th in assists (2.7 apg)
• Laura Bagwell-Katalinich – 4th in rebounding (7.4 rpg), 4th in free throw percentage (.727), 5th in field goal percentage (.475), 10th in scoring (13.2 ppg)
• Kate Sramac – 4th in steals (1.9 spg), 11th in assists (2.8 apg), 13th in 3-PT field goals per game (1.4)
• Shannon Mulroy – 7th in assists (2.9 apg), 7th in 3-PT field goals per game (1.8)
• Theresa Grace Mbanefo –9th in blocks (0.8 bpg)

A CLASS OF HER OWN:

Laura Bagwell-Katalinich was selected as one of 30 candidates for the 2019-20 Senior CLASS Award in collegiate women's basketball. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School ®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
 
With this honor, Bagwell-Katalinich becomes only the second student-athlete in Cornell women's basketball history to be named a candidate for the Senior CLASS Award, joining Allyson DiMagno '14, who was in the running for the award for the 2013-14 season.

MULROY SWEEPS IVY LEAGUE PLAYER AND ROOKIE OF THE WEEK AWARDS:

After a spectacular performance in the Cornell women's basketball team's thrilling 80-77 overtime win over Columbia on Saturday, Jan. 25, freshman point guard Shannon Mulroy swept the Ivy League's weekly awards, being named both the conference's Player and Rookie of the Week.
 
With this accomplishment, Mulroy not only received the first Player and Rookie of the Week honors of her career, but she is only the second Big Red women's basketball student-athlete ever to earn both awards in the same week (Nia Marshall). In addition to receiving recognition from the Ivy League, Mulroy was also named the conference's Player of the Week by College Sports Madness.
 
The freshman made it rain, pouring in a game- and career-high 27 points and sinking seven 3-point baskets, just as many as the entire Columbia team. She shot an impressive 8-of-16 from the floor and 7-of-14 from long range, and her seven 3-pointers in a contest ranks third all-time in Cornell women's basketball history. She also went a perfect 4-of-4 from the charity stripe in some of the biggest moments of the contest.

BAGWELL-KATALINICH NAMED IVY LEAGUE PLAYER OF WEEK:

For the first time of her career, Cornell women's basketball senior forward Laura Bagwell-Katalinich was named the Ivy League Player of the Week, the conference announced on Monday, Nov. 25. In addition to being honored by the conference, Bagwell-Katalinich was also deemed the College Sports Madness Ivy League Player of the Week.
 
Between Cornell's two contests against Niagara and Delaware State, Bagwell-Katalinich averaged 25.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game. In addition, she shot 13-of-14 from the charity stripe over the two games, including a perfect 10-of-10 against Niagara.

RECAPPING THE 2018-19 SEASON:

The Big Red finished the season with a 12-14 overall record and a mark of 6-8 in the Ivy League. After winning three of its final four contests, the Big Red finished in a tie for fourth place in the Ivy League and clinched a spot in the Ivy League Tournament for the first time since the tournament's inception three years ago.

WHAT WAS LOST:

• The Big Red graduated one senior from the 2018-19 squad in co-captain Samantha Clement, also losing one letter winner as well as one non-letter winner.

WHAT REMAINS:

• Cornell returns all five starters and nine letter winners from a year ago. 
• The team returns its top scorer (16.1 ppg) and rebounder (7.9 rpg) from 2018-19 in Laura Bagwell-Katalinich, as well as its second leading scorer (10.8) and rebounder (6.9), Samantha Widmann.
• Widmann and Bagwell-Katalinich will serve as captains for the 2019-20 season.
• Widmann enters her third term as team captain, becoming only the second player in program history (Karen Force '04) to serve as a three-time team captain.
• Bagwell-Katalinich returns to the team after becoming only the 11th player in program history to be named first team All-Ivy League.
• Senior point guard Danielle Jorgenson returns invaluable experience, starting 53 consecutive games over her sophomore and junior seasons.
• Kate Sramac and Halley Miklos are back and ready to make an even bigger impact this season after making 19 and 17 starts, respectively, a season ago.

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK:

• The Big Red added four freshmen to the 2019-20 squad.
• The group hails from four different states – California, Virginia, New Jersey, and New York.
• The group consists of one point guard (Shannon Mulroy), two guards (Ania McNicholas, KC Carter), and one forward (Anna Hovis).

IVY PRESEASON RANKINGS:

•  The Big Red was picked fifth overall in the 2019-20 Ivy League Preseason Media Poll with 60 voter points.
• This marked vast improvement from last season, when the Big Red were selected eighth in the preseason poll.
• Princeton and Penn tied for first in the poll, each collecting 125 voter points after sharing the regular season Ivy League crown in 2018-19.
• Princeton held a slight advantage in the voting after winning the 2019 Ivy League Tournament, receiving 10 first place votes as compared to Penn's seven.
• Harvard (95) and Yale (90), were selected to finish third and fourth, respectively.
• Columbia (47), Dartmouth (47), and Brown (23) rounded out the bottom three.

HEAD COACH DAYNA SMITH:

• In her 18th season at the helm of the Big Red program, head coach Dayna Smith ranks fourth overall in Ivy League women's basketball history in years served as a head coach in the conference.
• Only one active coach, Harvard's Kathy Delaney-Smith (37th season), ranks ahead of Cornell's Smith.
• Smith is the winningest coach in Cornell history, and reached the 150-win mark for her career with the team's overtime victory vs. Dartmouth on Jan. 30, 2016.
• She currently stands at 197 career victories, just three away from reaching 200 for her career.

FRESH PERSPECTIVES:

Coach Smith welcomed two new assistant coaches to the staff for the 2019-20 season - Claire Mattox (Washington College '14) and Joe Rutigliano (Canisius '15).

UP NEXT:

The Big Red women's basketball team will open a four-game road stretch when it travels to Yale on Friday, Feb. 21 for a 6 p.m. tip in New Haven, Conn. and Brown on Saturday, Feb. 22 for a 5 p.m. start in Providence, R.I.