Game Recap

In a challenging start to the season, Cornell University’s women’s basketball team faced Bryant University on Friday night, ultimately losing 64-38. The game, held at the Chace Athletic Center, showcased a tough performance from the Big Red, who struggled offensively throughout.

Performance Analysis

Bryant (2-0) was propelled by Mia Mancini, who scored a game-high 18 points, complemented by Nia Scott’s double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. The Bulldogs outperformed Cornell with a shooting percentage of 43.4% from the field and a solid 36-34 edge in rebounding.

Cornell (0-1) faced significant difficulties, shooting just 26% for the game. Senior Emily Pape led her team with nine points and seven rebounds, while freshman Grace Renners contributed seven points in a commendable debut from the bench. Junior Rachel Kaus added five points along with three rebounds and two assists.

Game Highlights

• Cornell managed to score only two points in the first ten minutes before Pape hit a three-pointer to end the quarter.
• A brief resurgence saw Cornell trim the deficit to three points, 18-15, following a 13-3 run in the second quarter.
• Despite narrowing the gap, Bryant quickly regained control and led comfortably by halftime with a score of 29-20.
• The Bulldogs expanded their lead further in the second half, ultimately leading by as much as 19 points before sealing the victory.

Game Notes

The loss marks Cornell’s second consecutive defeat against Bryant, bringing their all-time record against the Bulldogs to 3-2. The Big Red’s historical record in season openers now stands at 22-32, and they are 9-23 when opening on the road. Notably, Pape is close to reaching a career milestone, now just 154 points shy of 1,000 career points.

Looking Ahead: Next Game Details

Following this opening loss, Cornell will continue its challenging schedule with a matchup against the University of Pittsburgh. Here are the details:

Historical Context

Cornell has yet to secure a victory against Pitt, holding an 0-2 record in their matchups to date. The forthcoming game promises to be an important challenge as the Big Red looks to bounce back from their opening defeat.