EASTON, Pa. - Lafayette continued the 2025-26 non-conference slate with a 97-78 loss to Cornell on Thursday evening at Kirby Sports Center.

Lafayette's top performances came through Caleb Williams (19) and Shareef Jackson (13) in double figures for points. The hosts were held to just 1-of-7 from beyond the arc in total, but outpaced Cornell at the charity stripe, 13-19 to 3-6.

Williams and Jackson combined for nine points in the opening minutes, putting the Leopards ahead 15-10 at the first media timeout (15:26).

A 3-pointer at the top of the arc by Andrew Phillips allowed Lafayette to keep the lead, 21-14, by the 11-minute mark.

The Big Red closed the gap to one, 22-21, using a shot beyond the arc by DaMaryon Fishburn in a 7-1 run to 7:53.

Cornell continued on to steal the lead and go ahead 30-24 at 5:55. The two-minute 9-2 spurt included 4-for-4 at the line from the opponents.

An even 16-16 fight ensued through the end of the first half with the Big Red utilizing 11 points by Corbin Zentner (6) and Cooper Noard (5) to stay out front at the break, 46-40. Lafayette's Luke Bevilacqua secured a team-high four points in the host's 6-of-9 from the floor in that same time.

To open the second period, Cornell's Noard hit a pair of 3-pointers to remain ahead, 56-44, at the 17-minute mark. The senior was the only opponent on the score sheet through 15:06, adding eight points to his team's total for a 64-46 lead.

Lafayette's Williams halted the offensive advance with his own shot beyond the arc at 14:05 to get as close as 13, 64-51.

The Big Red used seven scorers through the rest of the evening, eventually taking a game-high 24-point lead with five minutes left to play, 87-63.

Cornell nailed five 3-pointers to close out the contest, outweighing the Leopard's 11 free throws thereafter, in the 97-78 final.

The Big Red shot 52 percent from the field on 67 attempts and totaled 15 long-range buckets.

Overall, Noard led Cornell's four athletes in double figures with 26 points, shooting 9-of-15 from the field and 5-for-10 from the 3-point range. He collected six rebounds, made two assists and sank all three of his tries at the line.

Next up, the Leopards travel to West Virginia on Monday evening for a 7 p.m. tip-off.

 
For the latest on the Lafayette College men's basketball program, follow the Leopards on Twitter @LafayetteMBB and Instagram @lafayettembb.