NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Cornell gave Yale all it could handle, but the reigning Ivy League Tournament champs clinched a share of 2025 Ancient Eight title following a thrilling 92-88 victory on Friday evening at the John J. Lee Amphitheater. The Big Red suffered its fourth defeat in a row to fall to 13-10 (5-5 Ivy), while the Bulldogs improved to 17-6 (10-0 Ivy).

In a game that featured big play after big play, it was Yale that made the final run. Trailing by two late, the Big Red got its hands on a loose ball and AK Okereke, who had a career-high 30 points, looked to have an open shot under the basket. Yale's Casey Simmons came from the weak side to block the shot, when was on the receiving end of the run-out break for a dunk to give the home team a four-point lead with 1:16 left. Cornell did not get another shot to tie, as the Bulldogs went 6-for-6 from the line in the final 21 seconds to clinch the win.

Okereke finished the evening with 30 points, seven assists and four rebounds, while Jake Fiegen also added a career-high with 23 points to go along with five rebounds and two steals. Fiegen scored 19 points in just over 10 minutes to begin the game to set the tone. Nazir Williams was the third double figure scorer for Cornell with 19 along with six rebounds and six assists. Cornell shot just 41 percent from the floor, but held a 42-36 edge on the glass, including a 16-9 edge on the offensive backboards.

Nick Townsend led Yale with 24 points, 11 rebounds and five assists to pace four in double figures, while Simmons added 21 to go along with eight boards. Bez Mbeng finished the night with 14 points, eight assists and four rebounds and John Poulikidas had 13, though defended well on just 4-of-14 shooting. Yale shot 49 percent from the floor in the victory.

Cornell threw the kitchen sink at Yale in the first half, hitting eight 3-pointers, scoring 18 second chance points and ripping down 11 offensive boards in a spirited effort over the first 20 minutes. The Big Red assisted on 12 field goals, outrebounded the league's top team on the boards 25-19 and overcame 39 percent shooting of its own. Despite its uncharacteristically tough shooting half, the effort was clearly there.

Fiegen hit early and often, scoring 19 points by the break on the strength of five 3-pointers. The Big Red led by as many as 15, but saw the Bulldogs close on a 12-2 run over the final 4:16 to get back within five. 

Fiegen's blitz saw him score all 19 points in the game's first 11:23, with his last trey a banked 3-pointer to give him all but nine of the team's 28 points. The Big Red committed just two turnovers and took big advantage of Yale's six miscues, scoring 14 points off them. Despite shooting a combined 6-for-20, Williams (six points, four rebounds, four assists) and Okereke (seven points, four rebounds, five assists) were forces on both ends. Guy Ragland Jr. also asserted himself early, scoring five points with three rebounds and two assists and ended the night with a team-best seven boards for Cornell.

Yale made a living at the free-throw line, connecting on 11-of-14 shots to get right back in the game. Simmons and Townsend scored nine points apiece for the home team.

Cornell scored the first five out of the break to go back up double figures, but Townsend connected on back-to-back 3-pointers to claw the Bulldogs back to within 51-48 with 16 minutes remaining.
Fiegen got a friendly roll for a 3-pointer, and on the ensuing possession Williams hit the team's 13th to retake the lead at 68-65. Williams hit another on the next possession to give him 19 and the Big Red a 71-68 advantage.

Okereke's 3-pointer with seven minutes to play put Cornell up 76-69, but Yale took control late. The lead switched back and forth until the home team grabbed it for good on a tough Poulikidas pull-up jumper with 1:50 remaining. 

UP NEXT
• Cornell closes out its four-game road swing when it heads to Providence to face Brown on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. at the Pizzitola Sports Center.
• The contest will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
• The Big Red hopes it won't be its only trip to the Pizz this season, as Ivy Madness will be hosted by Brown in less than a month.
• The Bears won the first meeting this season between the teams, 83-82 at Newman Arena on Feb. 20.