Chiefs drop matches to Panthers and Trojans

Cornell junior Avery Turany keeps an eye on a New Auburn defender, in a conference match on the Chiefs’ home court Jan. 28. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

It wasn’t an easy week for the Cornell boys basketball squad, as they faced two tough opponents in the East Lakeland Conference.

Jan. 25 vs. Prairie Farm conference (L 66-46)

Prairie Farm isn’t pulling any punches as the newbie in the league, but despite that, Cornell played at a higher level than the first match-up of the season. In their first game against the Panthers, Cornell lost by 47 points; this time around, the game was a lot closer.

“We outplayed and outscored Prairie Farm for three-quarters of the game,” said coach Steve Parker. “We played our cleanest game, turnover-wise.”

Although the Chiefs were down, 38-20, at halftime and Cornell started the second half a little slow, the final score is only half the story.

“I was proud that our team cut a 24-point, early secondhalf deficit down to seven points at one juncture,” said Parker. “Unfortunately, half of our turnovers (7) occurred in a six-minute stretch, that coincided with their 18-2 run that closed the first half.”

In the end, it would be the Panthers who walked away with the victory, 66-46.

“We missed too many free throws in the game and they out-rebounded us, 40-24,” said Parker. “It’s almost impossible to beat any opponent, when you concede 20 offensive rebounds.”

Dylan Bowe was a standout for the Chiefs, notching 22 points – 18 of those from three-point land for a season/ game high – along with 7 rebounds and 3 steals. Junior Blake Anders followed that up with 15 points and 6 rebounds, while junior Avery Turany added 4 points and 6 rebounds.

Junior Dawson Munson had a three-pointer and 3 assists. “I was also proud of Avery, for drawing two charges against Prairie Farm,” said Parker.

Jan. 28 vs. New Auburn conference (L 57-50)

Next up, Cornell hosted New Auburn, with the contest again closer than the 33-point difference in a match-up earlier in the season.

“I am proud of how the boys played tonight,” said Parker. “New Auburn started four seniors, we started none.”

The Trojans pulled away in the first half, with the score 36-19 by halftime.

“We were down…in the second half and could have given up, but the boys never quit playing hard,” said Parker. “Our team is conditioned to run until the final buzzer.”

After making defensive adjustments during the break, the Chiefs only allowed 21 second-half points.

“We worked hard at rebounding in practice this week, and that effort carried over into the game, because we out-rebounded New Auburn, 30-25,” said Parker. “Our defensive presence caused them to miss 14 shots at the rim. We got into the bonus early in the second half and did a better job capitalizing on our opportunities, making 65 percent of our season-high 20 attempts.”

Even with Cornell outscoring the Trojans in the second half of the game, the first-half deficit came back to haunt the Chiefs, as New Auburn came up with a 57-50 win.

“New Auburn is perhaps the strongest team we faced this year,” said Parker. “They used their size well to fight through screens, run pick-and-rolls, and protect the ball on their post moves. They also moved well without the basketball in their half-court offense and passed well, hitting their back-door cutters when we overplayed the ball.”

Anders had a great game, finishing with 18 points, including a three-point shot, 15 rebounds and 2 assists, and while New Auburn stymied Bowe offensively in the first half with their best defender, Bowe stormed back in the second half, scoring 19 points – six of those from three-pointers – to go along with his 7 rebounds and 2 steals.

Freshman Bentley Spangler had 6 boards to complement his 2 points, and Turany scored 6 points, had 3 assists and a block. Munson scored 5 points and 3 assists for the Chiefs.

Cornell’s record now sits at 2-16 overall and 0-11 in the conference.

“We set several team goals heading into the contest and accomplished most of them,” said Parker. “The team continues to improve. We weren’t firing on all cylinders tonight, yet still played well most of the game. What’s exciting, is we have yet to reach our potential.”