.png&width=24&type=webp)
Princeton University Athletics
Princeton Plays Short And Wins Big Against Cornell
January 12, 2001 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 12, 2001
Box Score
PRINCETON, N.J. (AP) - Freshman Ed Persia scored 12 of his career-high 17 points in the first half as short-handed Princeton defeated Cornell for the 15th straight time, 78-53, Friday night.
Princeton (5-7, 1-0 Ivy League) was without starting forward Eugene Baah, although no official reason was given for Baah's absence prior to the game. Starters C.J. Chapman and Mike Bechtold began the game on the bench due to foot injuries but eventually played. Forward Nate Walton, who nearly did not start, sat out the second half to rest an injured ankle.
Cornell (4-9, 0-1) took early advantage of the Tigers personnel problems and went out to a 5-point lead, but Princeton went on a 34-6 run over the final 14 minutes to take a 42-19 halftime lead. Persia was the offensive spark, shooting 4-for-6 from 3-point range.
Princeton shot 8-for-10 to start the second half and open its biggest lead, 60-27, and went on to its highest scoring night of the season. The Tigers were averaging 52.8 points entering the game.