In Providence, R.I., Cornell triumphed over Dartmouth with a decisive 87-71 victory on Saturday during the Ivy League Tournament. At the forefront of Cornell’s success was AK Okereke, who notched an impressive 25 points. This win positions Cornell, the tournament’s second seed, to meet the top-seeded Yale in the championship showdown on Sunday.
Okereke’s performance was stellar, as he contributed not only in points but also grabbed nine rebounds, alongside four steals and four blocks, showcasing his all-around skills for the Big Red, who are now 18-10 in their season. Complementing Okereke’s efforts, Jake Fiegen scored 16 points, shooting 5 for 10 from the field and 3 of 8 from beyond the arc, while also securing five rebounds. Nazir Williams chipped in with 11 points, having a solid shooting effort by hitting 4 of his 8 attempts from the field and 2 for 3 from the three-point line.
Dartmouth’s side saw commendable performances despite the loss, with Brandon Mitchell-Day leading their scoring with 20 points and adding seven rebounds. Ryan Cornish supported with 15 points, while Romeo Myrthil contributed 12 points alongside four steals.
Cornell took control of the game midway through the first half, gaining the lead with just over nine minutes to go and maintaining it till the end. Okereke set the pace for his team, securing 13 points by halftime and leading Cornell to a 44-36 advantage at the intermission. In the second half, Cornell further extended their lead, outscoring Dartmouth by eight points, with Okereke again in the spotlight, scoring 12 of his team’s points.
