ITHACA, N.Y. – Cornell University shot 50.8% from the field and 93.8% from the free throw line in an 88-60 win over the Towson University women's basketball team on Wednesday evening in non-conference action. Freshman guard Sianni Martin led the Tigers with 18 points in the game.

THE BASICS
Cornell 88, Towson 60
Newman Arena, Ithaca, N.Y.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Tigers and the Big Red went back-and-forth in the first quarter as there were five ties. Sophomore center Daijha Thomas' third bucket of the stanza tied the game at 15-15 with 1:15 showing on the clock. A three-pointer from Kerri Moran gave Cornell (4-3) an 18-15 advantage with 48 seconds to go. The Tigers cut the Big Red lead to one, 18-17 with 33 seconds left in the quarter. A lay-up from Nia Marshall gave the home team a 20-17 advantage at the end of one quarter.
• The second quarter again saw the team battle and trade baskets on both ends of the floor. A three-pointer from Moran gave Cornell a 34-26 lead with 3:42 to go in the period. Towson used an 8-2 run to cut the deficit to two, 36-34 with 2:21 left in the quarter. Sophomore guard Markeema Crawford had five points for the Tigers during that run. The Big Red closed the quarter on an 8-3 run and took a 44-37 lead at the half. Marshall scored six of Cornell's eight points during that stretch.
• Cornell shot 51.4% from the floor in the first half and was aided by four three-pointers. Towson shot 46.9% from the floor and made five three-pointers. The Big Red held an 18-17 edge in the rebounding battle.
• The Big Red continued their sharp shooting in the second half. Towson cut the deficit to nine, 58-49 with 1:56 left in the third quarter. However that was as close as the Tigers would get the rest of the way. The Big Red lead fluctuated between 10 and 28 points the rest of the way. Samantha Clement's three-pointer with 26 seconds to play made it an 88-60 final. 

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Both teams were strong from behind the arc in the game as the Tigers made eight three-pointers to Cornell's seven.
• Martin, the reigning Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Rookie of the Week, led the Tigers with 18 points and three assists.
• Senior guard Dominique Johnson contributed 10 points for Towson.
• Thomas posted eight points, four rebounds and a career-high five blocked shots. She is the first Tiger to block five shots in a game since LaTorri Hines-Allen (Jan. 9 of last year against Delaware).
• Marshall led all scorers with 22 points while Moran had 18 points and 10 assists.

The Tigers are back in action when they travel to Minnesota on Sunday, Dec. 6 for a 7 p.m. game.