Men's Basketball News Releases
Tierney totals 13 rebounds, 10 points in loss at No. 19 Lawrence
Coming up - Tuesday, Nov. 25, vs. Faith Baptist, Small Multi-Sport Center, Mount Vernon, 8 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 30, at Mount Mercy, Cedar Rapids, 7 p.m.
Ram review - Cornell battled nationally-ranked Lawrence University to a two-point game at intermission, but a second-half lull cost the Rams in an 80-66 loss Saturday at Alexander Gymnasium in Appleton, Wis.
The Rams (2-1) opened their two-game trip in Appleton, Wis., with an 81-68 victory over Ripon Friday.
Cornell senior point guard Michael Tierney (Cedar Rapids/Jefferson) recorded a double-double with 10 points and a career-high 13 rebounds against Lawrence, the 2008 Midwest Conference champions and ranked No. 19 in the D3hoops.com preseason poll. Griffin LaDew (Pewaukee, Wis./Waukesha Catholic Memorial) and Chris Handke (Bellevue/Bellevue) netted 13 and 12 points, respectively. Handke also had a team-high five rebounds.
The Rams shot 52.0 percent in the first half and trailed 34-32 at halftime. Lawrence (2-1) broke the game open early in the second half with a 20-2 run to take a 54-36 lead with less than 13 minutes left to play.
"An early second-half run by Lawrence was the difference in the game," Cornell head coach Mike DeGeorge said. "We did not play with the kind of purpose at either end to beat a top-20 program on the road. We have to defend in transition better and execute at a higher level on offense and not settle for average shots. This was a great test for our team and we learned a lot about where we are as a team and what we can achieve."
Cornell outrebounded the Vikings 39-28, but struggled from long range with only two made 3-point goals on 17 attempts. The Rams connected on 18-of-22 free throws.
Tierney led four Rams in double figures scoring with 17 points against Ripon. Cornell received strong contributions from posts Riley Larson (Cedar Rapids/Jefferson) and Handke. Larson posted 15 points and seven rebounds while Handke had 13 points and seven boards. LaDew finished with 11 points.
Cornell built a 44-32 lead at halftime behind 59.3 percent shooting. The Rams stretched the lead to 19 points in the second half. Cornell committed only nine turnovers and went 18-of-22 from the foul line.
"Ripon is a nationally-respected program and to control the game the way we did is a tremendous confidence builder for our players," DeGeorge said. "Our balance and depth were key factors in the win."
