ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Cornell men's basketball team delivered a historic offensive performance in rolling past Division III Alfred State 133-65 on Friday afternoon at Newman Arena, rewriting the school and Ivy League record books. The Big Red improved to 7-6. clinching its fifth consecutive winning non-league season for the first time since the early 1960's.
The Big Red set school and Ivy League records for points (133), field goals (51) and assists (43) in a game, established a school record for points in a half with 69 in the opening 20 minutes, and buried 22 3-pointers, two shy of its own school and Ivy marks.
Sophomore Gio Panzini led all scorers with 26 points, going 10-of-12 from the field, while senior Adam Hinton added 18 points on a perfect 7-of-7 shooting night. Junior Ian Imegwu chipped in 16 points, senior Jake Fiegen scored 13 and freshman Jax Abalos added 10 as 14 different Cornell players found the scoring column. The Big Red shot 65 percent from the floor and outrebounded the Pioneers by 31 (55-24), posting its largest margin of victory (68 points) since the last time it faced Alfred State, a 107-29 triumph on Jan. 10, 2015. Cornell finished with 42 fast-break points, 26 points off turnovers and assisted on 43 of its 51 made baskets, producing one of the most efficient offensive games in program history.
Alfred State was led by Mykell Lawson's 17 points, while Kennyh Hardeman added eight and Darius Cunningham Jr. and Elijah Kioko scored seven apiece. The Pioneers hit 10 3-pointers and assisted on 18 baskets, but shot just 33 percent from the field overall and connected on 29 percent of its 3-pointers (10-of-35).
Cornell wasted little time asserting control. After Alfred State briefly led 8-6, the Big Red ignited a relentless transition attack, scoring repeatedly off turnovers and fast breaks. A flurry of early 3-pointers sparked a decisive first-half surge, as Cornell stretched the margin to double digits before the midway point and continued to pile on with wave after wave of shooters.
By halftime, Cornell led 69-23, shooting better than 68 percent from the floor and hitting 12 3-pointers while assisting on nearly every made basket. The Big Red recorded 28 field goals and 21 assists in the first half alone.
The onslaught continued after intermission, as Cornell pushed past the century mark less than eight minutes into the second half and eclipsed its previous program scoring record before the final media timeout. The Big Red finished the game shooting 65 percent overall and 55 percent from beyond the arc, while piling up 84 bench points. None of the starters played more than 14 minutes and were done for the day less than four minutes into the second half.
Following the contest, the Big Red hosted a Kids Day celebration with approximately 100 young fans doing fun drills on the court with the Cornell players.
NEXT UP
• Cornell kicks off its 14-game Ivy League season when it welcomes Columbia to Newman Arena on Monday, Jan. 5 at 5 p.m.
• The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
• The Big Red has won nine straight games between the programs and seven in a row against the Lions at home in Ithaca.
• Cornell won the last meeting between the teams 100-81 on March 8, 2025 at Newman Arena.
