Dec. 1, 2015 Final Stats | Highlights
Robert Hatter exploded for 28 of his 32 points in the second half, propelling Cornell past Siena 81-80 Tuesday night in Ithaca. The loss snapped the Saints' four-game win streak.
Siena began the second half with an 8-0 run, and led by 14 with 17:27 left. The lead was still 10 with 9:26 to play when Hatter caught fire. He scored 14 of Cornell's next 16 points, and the Big Red closed to within three on Jordan Abdur-Ra'oof's corner three with 2:07 left. Hatter tied the game with a long three-pointer off a ball screen with 53 seconds left, and made two free throws after two key Cornell stops to help secure the win.
Marquis Wright had 19 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals before fouling out with a minute to play, a key turning point in the game. Brett Bisping finished with 16 points and a career-high 18 rebounds, but he fouled out with 28 seconds left, limiting Siena's offensive options in its final possessions.
The Saints placed five players in double figures for the second straight game. Javion Ogunyemi had 17 points, Ryan Oliver had 13 and Lavon Long finished with 11 and a career-high six assists.
Oliver missed long on a left-wing three with the game tied at 77 and 28 seconds to play, and Bisping fouled Hatter on the rebound. Nico Clareth, who was a game-time decision with a migraine, saw his jumper rim out with 18 seconds left and the Saints' down one, and Siena turned the ball over on its next possession trailing by two points. Darryl Smith iced the game with two free throws for Cornell with three seconds left before Oliver hit a three to account for the final margin at the buzzer.
Siena shot 48% from the field, 50% from three-point range, and 82% from the free throw line.
Hatter made all four of his three-pointers, pacing Cornell's 10-22 performance from distance. The Big Red made 7-13 threes in the second half.
The Saints will try to regroup before opening MAAC play Friday night against two-time defending champion Manhattan at Times Union Center.
"We're 0-0," Siena coach Jimmy Patsos said. "We play the champion and then we go on the road to play Saint Peter's. I'm counting on our fans. I thought they helped us win the last game and we're going to need them again."
