Athletics - Men's Basketball

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Coming up — Wednesday, Feb. 13, at Wartburg (6-15 overall, 3-9 Iowa Conference), Waverly, 8 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 16, Coe (12-10, 7-6 IIAC), Small Multi-Sport Center, Mount Vernon, 4 p.m.

Ram Review – A hot-shooting week for the Rams (8-13 overall, 6-6 IIAC) resulted in a split of two league games. Cornell picked up an important 78-68 win at Dubuque Feb. 7, and then dropped an 80-64 home decision to IIAC-leader Buena Vista Feb. 9.

The Rams shot 54.5 percent for the week, including 16-of-34 from 3-point range (47.0 percent). Cornell remained in the middle of a log jam for the third through sixth spots in the IIAC race. Cornell is tied for fourth place with Central, one-half game ahead of Dubuque and one-half game behind Coe.

Buena Vista 80, Cornell 64 (Feb. 9, at Mount Vernon)
Cornell battled the Beavers (18-4, 12-1) to a three-point game at halftime before Buena Vista’s size and strength took over in a home loss which saw both teams shoot over 50 percent from the field. The Rams shot 54.5 percent (24-of-44) for the game, but were outdone by Buena Vista’s blistering 59.6 percent clip (34-of-57).

“We were able to stay close in the first half due to good shooting, but Buena Vista’s poise and execution eventually were the difference in the game,” DeGeorge said. “ Buena Vista has an excellent team and we still have a lot of work to do. They took us out of everything we wanted to run at the offensive end in the second half.”

The Rams received 42 points from their bench, getting key contributions from freshmen J. Ryan Lott (Overland Park, Kan./Blue Valley Northwest) and Joe Newcomb (Salem, Ind./Eastern), who shot a combined 8-of-10 from the floor. Lott equaled his career best with a team-high 13 points and Newcomb netted 11 as the lone two Rams to score in double figures.

“That is impressive for two freshmen to put forth that performance given the importance of the game and the quality of the competition,” DeGeorge said.

Cornell trailed 38-35 at halftime despite making 13-of-21 field goals (61.9 percent) in the first half. The Beavers opened the second half with a 14-6 spurt and remained in control the rest of the game. Buena Vista won the battle on the boards, 29-20.

Cornell 78, Dubuque 68 (Feb. 7, at Dubuque)
The Rams erupted for 48 points in the second half to claim their first road win since November. Cornell avenged an overtime loss to the Spartans last month and snapped a seven-game losing skid on the road.

Cornell overcame a 36-30 halftime deficit by shooting a sizzling 64.3 percent (18-of-28) from the field in the second half. The Rams shot 9-of-18 from 3-point range.

“After a disappointing effort in the first half, the team responded with our best 20 minutes of the season in the second half to take control of the game,” DeGeorge said.

Riley Larson (Cedar Rapids/Jefferson) paced a balanced scoring attack with 16 points. Griffin LaDew (Pewaukee, Wis./Waukesha Catholic Memorial) had 14 points, Tyler Cody (Roberts, Wis./St. Croix Central) 13 and Michael Tierney (Cedar Rapids/Jefferson) 11. Tierney added six rebounds and four assists. LaDew collected four steals and Lott had four assists.

Rams in the rankings – Cornell is shooting an IIAC-best 72.3 percent from the foul line and ranks second in 3-point percentage at 37.5. LaDew and Tierney are tied for the league lead in free throw percentage at 94.4. LaDew is second in steals (1.8 spg) and 3-point goals made (2.7) and fourth in scoring (16.1 ppg). Tierney ranks fourth in steals (1.5 spg) and fifth in assist/turnover ratio (1.13). Cody is third in 3-point percentage (44.0) and Chris Handke (Bellevue/Bellevue) is third in offensive rebounds (2.5).