Wittman’s 23 points leads Cornell past Alabama 71-67 in Grant’s Tide coaching debut

Wittman’s 23 lifts Cornell past Alabama, 71-67

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Ryan Wittman scored 23 points and made 5-of-8 3-pointers to help Cornell beat Alabama 71-67 on Saturday, spoiling Anthony Grant’s Crimson Tide coaching debut.

Cornell (1-0) opened the second half with nine straight points, building a 35-20 lead on back-to-back 3-pointers by Chris Wroblewski and Wittman.

Grant turned up his full-court press to help the Tide whittle the margin down to 53-52 on Torrance’s two free throws with 6:16 left.

But two-time defending Ivy League Conference champion Cornell, which returns all five starters, answered with a 3-pointer by Birmingham native Louis Dale and never gave up the lead. It was the Big Red’s first win over a Southeastern Conference team since beating Arkansas in the 1972-73 season.

The Big Red’s 7-foot center Jeff Foote finished with 17 points and seven rebounds. Dale had 13 points.