ITHACA, N.Y. – If the first two Yale-Cornell games are any indication, Ivy Madness in March is going to be quite entertaining. In round one at Lee Amphitheater two weeks ago,
Matt Knowling's conventional three-point play with three seconds left lifted the Bulldogs to an 80-78 victory. The rematch in Ithaca on Friday also went down to the wire, but this time it was the Big Red that escaped with the win. Isaiah Gray's conventional three-point play with 1:08 left snapped a 60-60 tie and proved to be the difference in Cornell's 65-62 win.
With the victory, the Big Red (20-4, 9-1 Ivy) is now in sole possession of first place in the Ivy League. Yale (17-8, 8-2 Ivy) and Princeton are both one game back.
Despite the loss, the Bulldogs clinched a spot in the Ivy League Tournament, joining Cornell and Princeton. The fourth and final spot is still to be determined.
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Matt Knowling posted a double-double (15 points, 12 rebounds) to lead Yale.
August Mahoney scored a team-high 16 points, 14 of which came in the second half as the Bulldogs rallied from a 37-27 halftime deficit.
Bez Mbeng added 12 points and four assists.
Danny Wolf had seven points and eight rebounds, and
Nick Townsend contributed six points and six rebounds off the bench.
Gray scored 18 points to pace the Big Red.
KEY STAT
Cornell finished 20-of-27 from the foul line, while the Bulldogs were 11-of-26.
QUOTING JONES
"We didn't play together in the first half. We were much more connected in the second half and gave ourselves a chance to win. We had opportunities down the stretch but didn't take advantage," said
James Jones, The Joel E. Smilow, Class of 1954 Head Coach of the Bulldogs. "In a league game, you can't shoot the way we did from the free throw line and expect to win."
NOTES
• Knowling's double-double was his first of the season.
• Yale's defense limited Cornell to just 38.5 percent shooting, well below its season average.
• The Ivy League Tournament is set for March 16-17 at Columbia. This will be sixth tournament, and Yale has qualified for all six.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Bulldogs play their final road game of the regular season on Saturday at Columbia. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m. at Levien Gym.
