The women’s basketball team (3-3) split its last two games defeating the Manhattan Jaspers (1-3) 70-60 on Tuesday but falling to the New Hampshire Wildcats (3-1) 59-56 on Sunday.
The Red shot nearly 47% against the Lady Jaspers, in a breakout game for senior guard Taylor Flynn who scored a career-high 26 points and went 5-for-7 from 3-point range.
“She had the hot hand and it was obviously a great game for her,” said head coach Dayna Smith.
In addition to shooting well from the floor the Red managed to knock down 84% of its free throws including each of its last six to put the game away when the Lady Jaspers threatened.
Junior guard Allyson DiMagno recorded her third double-double of the season, grabbing 19 rebounds in a game in which the Red dominated the boards 44-24.
Smith was impressed by DiMagno’s game and the team’s ability to turn defense into offense.
“Transition was the key and that was fueled by our rebounding,” she said.
The game marked Smith’s 100th win as the head coach of the women’s basketball program at Cornell. Her career has included both a dismal three-win season in 2004-05 and the Red’s only Ivy League championship in 2007-08.
Despite her accomplishment, however, Smith remains focused on the task at hand.
“[I was] just glad to get that win on outscored Longwood’s bench, 46-12, which provided a huge boost for the Red. Head coach Bill Courtney continues to play a 9-man rotation, as nine players all received more than 11 minutes of playing time.
After turning the ball over just seven times against Presbyterian, the Red experienced another inconsistent night, as the team had 20 turnovers against Longwood. Cornell was able to overcome its inability to hold onto the ball with an standout shooting display — 7-18 from three and 53 percent from the field.
Longwood was down by 14 with 3:41 to play and mounted a comeback, but it was too little too late, as Peck and Cressler knocked down six straight free throws to put the game away at the end. The Lancers were led by the trio of guards Nik Brown and Tristan Carey, who each recorded 19 points, and forward Michael Kessens, who led the game with 20 points and 14 rebounds.
After the long road trip, Cornell’s next game will be at home against last year’s America East regular season champion Stony Brook (4-1) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The Seawolves lost three of their top four scorers from their championship team last year, but Stony Brook is still expected to finish second in the conference, according to preseason polls.
Original Author: Skyler Dale