Box Score Monmouth ran out of gas down the stretch in a 77-64 loss to Cornell.
The Fighting Scots had jumped out to a 21-11 lead midway through the first half on Mike DeDecker’s layup, but the Rams fought back, trimming their deficit to four, 31-27 at halftime. Ben Friday gave Monmouth their largest lead of the second half, opening the period with a bucket to put the Scots up by six before the Rams ran to a 44-42 lead just six minutes later.
After Cornell pulled out to a 53-46 lead, the Scots came roaring back on a pair of Nick Marema free throws and a bucket inside from DeDecker. Wes Dukeman’s free throw with 7:13 left cut Monmouth’s hole to 57-53, but the Scots would get no closer than four the rest of the way.
Cornell sank five of six free throws in the final minute to hold off the Scots.
Dukeman led Monmouth with a 19-point, 11-rebound night and DeDecker added 12.