Athletics - Men's Basketball

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Coming up — Wednesday, Feb. 6, at Dubuque (10-8 overall, 6-5 Iowa Conference), Dubuque, 8 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 9, Buena Vista (16-4, 10-1), Small Multi-Sport Center, Mount Vernon, 4 p.m.

Ram Review – Cornell (7-12 overall, 5-5 Iowa Conference) remained in position for a postseason tournament berth after splitting a pair of league games last week. The Rams were dealt a 76-71 loss at Central Jan. 30, but bounced back with a 76-68 home victory over Luther Feb. 2.

The Rams got stellar guard play from juniors Griffin LaDew (Pewaukee, Wis./Waukesha Catholic Memorial) and Michael Tierney (Cedar Rapids/Jefferson). The duo combined for 66 points, 20-of-20 shooting from the foul line and only four turnovers in the two games.

Cornell 76, Luther 68 (Feb. 2, at Mount Vernon)
LaDew and Tierney shared game-high scoring honors with 18 points apiece as Cornell led wire-to-wire to complete a regular-season sweep over Luther and snap a four-game losing skid.

The Rams built a nine-point lead at halftime behind 58.3 percent shooting and opened their biggest advantage of the game at 44-28 with 17:27 left to play. The Norse trimmed the margin to 49-45, but drew no closer.

“We showed defensive grit and toughness over the first 30 minutes of the game,” Cornell head coach Mike DeGeorge said. “Michael Tierney responded with a very good effort running the team, making key free throws and playing solid defense. Corey Dieser (Albert Lea, Minn./Albert Lea) played a near flawless game, holding Luther’s best player to 2-of-10 shooting while distributing five assists.”

Tierney did most of his work from the foul line, hitting 10-of-10 free throws to go along with four rebounds, three steals and three assists. LaDew hit 6-of-10 field goals and went 4-of-4 from the foul line. Riley Larson (Cedar Rapids/Jefferson) chipped in 13 points and five rebounds.

Central 76, Cornell 71 (Jan. 30, at Pella)
Cornell surrendered a 13-0 run early in the second half and couldn’t recover in a league loss on the road.

The Rams led 34-29 at halftime, but fell behind by as many as 13 points late in the game. Cornell cut the deficit to 73-71 on a layup by Joe Newcomb (Salem, Ind./Eastern) with 17 seconds remaining before Central sealed the win with three free throws.

“I felt that we played the best we have in several weeks at Central and better than we did when we beat them at home,” DeGeorge said. “We just didn’t finish enough opportunities around the basket.”

LaDew led four Rams in double figures scoring with 16 points. Tierney had 14 points and Larson and Tyler Cody (Roberts, Wis./St. Croix Central) each added 12. Cody went 4-of-4 from the floor and hit all three of his 3-point attempts. Chris Handke (Bellevue/Bellevue) and Larson had seven rebounds apiece.

On record pace – Tierney and LaDew are both on pace to shatter the school’s single-season record for free throw percentage. Tierney has made 50-of-53 free throws – including his last 17 in a row – for an IIAC-best 94.3 percent. LaDew ranks second in the league at 93.8 percent, hitting 45-of-48. LaDew holds the school record of 90.6 percent (48-of-53), set during his freshman season in 2005-06.

Rams in the rankings – Tierney ranks second in the IIAC in steals (1.64) and fourth in assist/turnover ratio (1.22). LaDew is second in 3-point goals made (2.95), fourth in points (16.7 ppg), fourth in steals (1.58) and fourth in minutes played (31.7). The 6-foot-11 Handke is third in offensive rebounds (2.74) and fourth in total rebounds (6.5).