Cornell Dominates Princeton 87-64 Behind Balanced Attack

Cornell delivered a resounding 87-64 victory over Princeton at Newman Arena, surpassing the predicted margin of 7 points. The Big Red's performance was a reflection of their depth, with three players scoring in double figures. Jake Fiegen led the charge with 17 points, while Cooper Noard and Josh Baldwin added 15 and 13 points, respectively. This balanced attack allowed Cornell to pull away from Princeton, which struggled to keep pace.

At halftime, Cornell held a commanding 48-32 lead, thanks in part to Fiegen's 10 first-half points. The Big Red's defense also played a crucial role, limiting Princeton to just 32 points in the first 20 minutes. Jackson Hicke, Princeton's top performer, managed 13 points and 5 rebounds, but his efforts were not enough to stem the tide. Jacob Hammond and Jake Sussberg chipped in with 8 points each for the Tigers, but their offense was unable to match Cornell's firepower.

The second half saw Cornell maintain its advantage, outscoring Princeton 39-32. The Big Red's lead never dipped below 15 points, and they ultimately won by a comfortable 23-point margin. This result exceeded the expectations of CHD Scout, which had predicted a Cornell win by 7 points. The actual margin of victory was a significant improvement over the predicted score of 85-77.

The game's outcome has implications for both teams' resumes. For Cornell, this victory counts as a Quadrant 4 win, which may not significantly boost their tournament chances but still represents a positive addition to their profile. The Big Red's current net ranking of 176 suggests they still have work to do to become a serious contender. Meanwhile, Princeton's loss falls into Quadrant 3, which is a more respectable classification but still a missed opportunity for the Tigers to bolster their resume. With a current net ranking of 236, Princeton faces an uphill climb to become a viable tournament candidate.

As the season progresses, Cornell want to build on this dominant performance and continue to strengthen its resume. With a record of 10-9, the Big Red are still in the hunt for a potential postseason berth, although their chances remain uncertain. For now, they can take pride in a convincing win over a conference opponent, one that showcases their depth and scoring prowess. The victory over Princeton serves as a reflection of Cornell's potential, and they will aim to carry this momentum forward in their upcoming games.