One down, 64 to go: Cornell clinches NCAA bid with 3-point onslaught in 95-76 win over Brown

Cornell is first team to clinch NCAA tourney bid

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Cornell became the first team this season to earn an NCAA tournament bid, clinching its third straight Ivy League championship by beating Brown 95-76 on Friday night with a record-tying display of 3-point shooting.

The Big Red (26-4, 12-1) made 20 of 30 attempts from 3-point range and held Brown to 30 percent shooting in the second half while cruising to their 24th victory in 26 games.

Cornell tied an Ivy League record for 3s in a game and increased its season total to 292, also a conference mark. In doing so, the Big Red wrapped up their fourth Ivy League title — securing the fifth NCAA tournament berth in school history.

Jon Jacques led Cornell with 20 points and seven rebounds as all five starters scored in double figures.

Louis Dale added 18 points and eight assists, and Ryan Wittman had 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Peter Sullivan had 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting to lead the Bears (11-19, 5-8).

Cornell led 51-47 at halftime, establishing its 3-point shooting early in a frenetic first half. The Big Red made 11 of their first 13 attempts from beyond the arc, including eight in a row at one point.

But Brown found success on the offensive end as well, shooting 59 percent from the field in the first half to keep the game close.

Cornell started the second half on a 14-4 run, however, and Brown never got within single digits again.

Cornell has lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament as a No. 14 seed in each of the last two seasons. But the Big Red will aspire for a stronger showing this year after setting a school record for wins and nearly upsetting then-No. 1 Kansas on the road Jan. 6.

The Big Red will have a chance to tie to the conference record for wins in their final game of the regular season Saturday at Yale.