Cornell Breaks Losing Streaks with Ivy League Victory Over Columbia

Cornell women’s basketball ended its losing streak with a decisive victory against Columbia on Saturday afternoon. The Big Red triumphed over the Lions, winning 67-60, marking their first victory in five games.

Cornell’s Ivy League Victory

This win improved Cornell’s overall record to 5-8 and established a 1-0 mark in Ivy League play. The Big Red’s last win over Columbia occurred in January 2020, and they had not secured a road victory against the Lions since January 2018.

Game Highlights

• Emily Pape, the Ivy League Player of the Week, led Cornell with 19 points.
• Rachel Kaus contributed 15 points, while Clarke Jackson and Audrey Chen each added 12 points.
• Jackson also recorded seven rebounds and seven assists, showcasing her all-around performance.
• Cornell shot 45.1% from the field and 52.6% from beyond the arc.

The Big Red received significant support from their bench, scoring 18 points, and capitalized on 17 points from turnovers. They also managed 10 second-chance points throughout the game.

Columbia’s Performance

Despite the loss, Columbia put forth a strong effort. Perri Page led the Lions with 24 points and shot an impressive 11-for-15 from the floor. Marija Avlijas and Fliss Henderson added 13 and 11 points, respectively, with Henderson grabbing 16 rebounds for a double-double.

Game Flow

The match was closely contested from the start. Cornell held a narrow 28-26 lead at halftime after a solid defensive showing in the first quarter. After trailing, the Big Red regained control with a 10-4 run to start the second period.

Although Columbia managed to temporarily take the lead in the third quarter, Cornell responded effectively. Pape’s timely three-pointers and subsequent scoring runs helped the Big Red end the third quarter with a 46-39 advantage.

As the final quarter began, Cornell expanded its lead to 12 points with back-to-back three-pointers. Although Columbia attempted a comeback, Cornell secured the victory by making crucial free throws in the last moments to win by seven points.

Notable Achievements

• Cornell holds a historical record of 51-34 against Columbia.
• The victory marked the first Ivy League opener win since January 2023.
• Pape is now just 10 points away from reaching 1,000 career points.
• Jackson achieved a career-high in assists, further solidifying her role on the team.

Looking Ahead

Cornell will next face Dartmouth in Hanover, New Hampshire, on January 10 at 1:00 p.m. The Big Red will aim to build on their recent success while improving their all-time record against the Big Green, which stands at 28-63, including 8-36 on the road.