The Cornell Big Red kicked off their season opener with an absolute nail-biter on Monday, taking down Pepperdine 86-85. It all came down to a clutch Jacob Beccles layup with just 24 seconds left on the clock, snatching victory from the jaws of a tied game. Talk about starting the season with some high-octane drama!
Beccles Delivers the Dagger in a Big Red Statement
Jacob Beccles was absolutely the man of the hour for Cornell, leading them with 19 points. That game-winning layup with seconds to spare? Yeah, that was him, showing ice in his veins right when it mattered most. He wasn’t just clutch, he was efficient, hitting 7 of 12 from the field and draining 4 of 6 from beyond the arc. He even dropped 9 points in the first half alone, setting the tone early.
But it certainly wasn’t a one-man show. Mateen Rafiq went off for 17 points, also sinking 4 of 6 from three-point land on his way to 6 for 9 from the field. He was especially hot in the second half, adding 10 crucial points to the Big Red’s effort. Kasper Sepp chipped in with 13 points, going 5 for 9 from the floor. Cornell went into halftime ahead 46-40, but everyone knew Pepperdine wasn’t going to roll over.
Waves’ Big Guns Pushed Cornell to the Brink
Pepperdine absolutely made it a game, with Alex Constanza leading their charge with an incredible performance. He was a beast on the court, racking up 25 points, pulling down 9 rebounds, and swiping 2 steals. He truly left everything out there, pushing Cornell to their absolute limit.
Petar Majstorovic added 15 points for the Waves, keeping the pressure on Cornell throughout the contest. Not to be outdone, Evan Haywood also contributed big, finishing with 14 points and a solid 4 steals, showcasing Pepperdine’s defensive intensity. They kept fighting back, making that Beccles layup absolutely necessary for the Big Red to escape with the win.
This was a massive way for Cornell to kick off their season, showing they’ve got the composure for tight finishes and can close out a game. They’ll look to carry that momentum forward when they hit the road to visit Lehigh on Thursday. Pepperdine, on the other hand, will be licking their wounds but definitely showed a ton of fight. They’ll host La Sierra on Thursday, aiming to bounce back from this heartbreaker. Early season W’s like this are huge for setting the tone, and Cornell just earned a memorable one!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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