Morgan helps Cornell eke past Columbia 67-62

Jan 21, 2017, 09:37 pm

NEW YORK -- Matt Morgan scored 17 points including a 3-pointer and two free throws in the final 1:36 as Cornell held off Columbia 67-62 in an Ivy League rematch on Saturday night.

Cornell (5-12, 1-1) had fallen to Columbia in a league opener a week prior, and battled through the second half to get even. Morgan and Stone Gettings hit back-to-back 3s as Cornell tied at 41 after losing a slim halftime lead.

From there, the teams tied three more times and swapped the lead three times before Big Red went in front for good on a Will Bathurst jumper with 3 minutes left.

Columbia struggled at the foul line in the final minute, making two of its last six.

Still, the Lions (7-8, 1-1) had a chance in the last 30 seconds when Luke Petrasek scored to make it 65-62, Nate Hickman stole the ball but Petrasek's 3-point attempt hit the back iron and bounced away.

Mike Smith led the Lions with a season-high 24 points.