BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- Cornell's defense had plenty of rest and the extra energy paid dividends in a 76-69 victory at Binghamton on Tuesday evening at the Events Center in the 2021-22 season opener for both squads.
The Big Red looked like a team in mid-season form on the defensive end, not one that hadn't played in 612 days. Cornell forced 18 turnovers with 12 steals and limited the Bearcats to 39 percent shooting overall and a miserable 6-of-35 night from beyond the arc (17 percent) to overcome its own hiccups in the opener.
Jordan Jones scored 20 and
Chris Manon netted 17 points with the sophomore adding seven rebounds and two steals for the Big Red in his first collegiate game.
Greg Dolan had nine points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals in the victory, while
Sarju Patel chipped in seven points with four boards.
Kobe Dickson provided a monster presence in the paint, scoring three points with four rebounds, three steals, two assists, a block. He also changed numerous shots while committing just two fouls in 30 minutes. The Big Red connected on 47 percent of its shots overall and held a 19-10 edge in fastbreak points.
Everyone who saw action contributed something to the win as Cornell overcame an 18-of-32 night at the free throw line and 15 turnovers. A total of 11 different players scored, 12 grabbed rebounds and seven registered steals.
For Binghamton, John McGriff posted 16 points, four rebounds and four assists and both Jacob Falko and Bryce Beamer scored 13 apiece. Ogheneyole Akuwovo grabbed a game-high eight boards as the home team held a 45-40 edge on the glass with 17 coming on the offensive end.
First Half
• In a fast-moving first half, Cornell led by as many as 10 and went into the break leading 37-32.
• Jones made his first five field goals en route to 13 points and Manon had 10 points and four boards at the break.
• It was the defense that made the difference, forcing the Bearcats into 11 turnovers with eight steals and taking a 15-8 edge in points off turnovers.
• Dickson was effective in his team-high 15 first half minutes, grabbing four rebounds, making two steals and blocking a shot to control the paint inside.
• Patel got Cornell on the board with his first points for the Big Red 36 seconds in as part of a flurry in the first five minutes that saw Cornell make seven of its first eight shots.
• When the fifth-year senior got free for another basket three minutes later, Binghamton called timeout to settle the frantic pace with the visitors up 11-6.
• Leading by two at the second media timeout, the Big Red scored eight straight points - including a pair of Jones 3-pointers - to push its lead to double figures (27-17).
• Neither team scored over the final 3:18 of the half as both teams missed their final six shots before the break.
Second Half
• Cornell never surrendered the lead after halftime, closing out the wire-to-wire win.
• Three times Binghamton got within three points, but each time the Big Red answered.
• The Bearcats made just 1-of-16 3-pointers during one stretch of the second half and connected on just 4-of-23 from beyond the arc in the final 20 minutes.
• After struggling most of the night on the glass, Cornell outrebounded Binghamton 25-24 after halftime and made 16 free throws down the stretch.
• Jones, Dolan and Manon scored seven points apiece as 11 different players scored in the final 20 minutes.
Up Next
• Cornell completes its two-game road trip to kick off the season with a matchup against Lafayette on Friday, Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m. in Easton, Pa.
• Lafayette leads the all-time series 12-11 after snapping Cornell's four-game win streak between the programs with a 62-59 decision on Dec. 7, 2019.
• The Leopards, under the Patriot League's all-time winningest coach, Fran O'Hanlon, most recently won 19 games during the 2019-20 campaign.
