Men's Basketball News Releases
Handke records double-double in 68-60 win over Simpson
MOUNT VERNON - The Cornell men's basketball team built a 19-point first-half lead and Chris Handke (Bellevue/Bellevue) recorded his first career double as the Rams took care of Simpson, 68-60, in the Iowa Conference opener Saturday at the Small Multi-Sport Center.
The Rams (5-1 overall, 1-0 IIAC) are off to their best start to a season since 1989-90, when coach Gary's Grace's squad opened 6-1. Cornell defeated the Storm for only the second time in the last 11 meetings.
Cornell held its third consecutive opponent to less than 40 percent shooting. Simpson went 20-of-61 from the field, a 32.8 percent clip.
"It was a quality effort as we controlled the game from start to finish," Cornell head coach Mike DeGeorge said. "We showed signs of just how good this team can become. We played tremendous half-court defense throughout the game. Our defensive effort has been a constant all year and is the reason for our improvement."
The Rams had the hot hand early, shooting 66.7 percent (16-of-24) in the first half in taking a 43-33 lead at intermission. Cornell charged ahead 37-18 with four minutes left to play in the half and led by as many as 18 points in the second half.
Simpson (2-5, 0-2) sliced the margin to 62-56 with 1:58 remaining. But the Rams built the lead back to double digits by hitting six consecutive free throws - two from Riley Larson (Cedar Rapids/Jefferson) and four from Griffin LaDew (Pewaukee, Wis./Waukesha Catholic Memorial) - to ice the game.
Handke led the Rams in the paint with 11 points and 10 rebounds. The 6-foot-11 junior forward hit 5-of-6 field goals and also blocked three shots. LaDew finished with 15 points and Michael Tierney (Cedar Rapids/Jefferson) netted 12. Senior Tyler Cody (Roberts, Wis./St. Croix Central) had a solid game off the bench, contributing eight points and eight rebounds.
The Rams controlled the game despite committing 22 turnovers and losing the battle on the boards, 40-35.
"This game was similar to Knox where we gave the opponent so many extra possessions," DeGeorge said. "We have to be stronger with the ball and maintain stronger position as we box out."
Coming up -Wednesday, Dec. 10, No. 3 Augustana, Small Multi-Sport Center, Mount Vernon, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 13, Webster, Small Multi-Sport Center, Mount Vernon, 4 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 14, Maryville, Small Multi-Sport Center, Mount Vernon, 2 p.m.
The Rams have an opportunity to notch a big win on their home floor Wednesday against perennial power Augustana (4-2), ranked third nationally in the D3hoops.com Top 25 Poll released Dec. 2. The Vikings have won three consecutive College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) outright titles and been ranked in the top 25 every week since the 2005-06 preseason poll.
LaDew climbs scoring list - LaDew passed Lloyd Olmstead (1,230 points, 1951-53) for eighth place on Cornell's career scoring list with 1,233 points. With three games slated this week, the senior guard needs only 39 points to move into fifth place.
Top shooters - The Rams lead the IIAC in field goal percentage (49.3), 3-point percentage (37.5) and free throw percentage (74.0). Cornell went 8-of-17 from 3-point range against Simpson, extending its streak to 81 games with at least one made 3-point goal.
Juniors Matt Lewis (Augusta, Ill./Southeastern) and Handke rank first and second, respectively, in the league in field goal percentage. Lewis tops the conference at 69.2 percent (18-of-26), followed by Handke at 65.9 percent (29-of-44).
