Jacob Beccles delivered a decisive layup with 24 seconds remaining to secure a dramatic 86-85 season-opening victory for Cornell over Pepperdine on Monday in Ithaca, N.Y. The Big Red led 46-40 at halftime, but Pepperdine’s Alex Constanza kept the Waves within striking distance throughout the second half. Despite the tight margin, Cornell’s offensive execution in the final minute proved superior, allowing Beccles to sink the game-winner and claim the win.
Big Red star delivers clutch finish to open season with dramatic victory
Beccles anchored Cornell’s attack with a team-high 19 points, shooting 7 for 12 from the field and 4 for 6 from beyond the arc. He was supported by Mateen Rafiq, who contributed 17 points on efficient 6-for-9 shooting, including four three-pointers. Kasper Sepp added 13 points, while Rafiq specifically drove the second-half surge with 10 points in the final 20 minutes. For Pepperdine, Constanza led all scorers with 25 points, nine rebounds, and two steals, though Petar Majstorovic’s 15 points and Evan Haywood’s 14 points and four steals were not enough to overcome the deficit.
The result sets the stage for continued action as both teams return to the court Thursday. Cornell will travel to face Lehigh, while Pepperdine hosts La Sierra. The game highlights the high-scoring nature of the matchup, with both teams combining for 171 points in a contest defined by perimeter shooting and late-game tension.
Source: Yahoo Sports
