Dartmouth Wins Overtime Thriller Over Cornell to Earn Series Sweep

Friday, February 28

Hanover, N.H.

7:00 PM

Dartmouth College

9-15,3-8Ivy League

Cornell

9-14,2-9Ivy League

OT 1

Cornell

Dartmouth

Senior Annie McKenna

Photo by: Doug Austin

Dartmouth Wins Overtime Thriller Over Cornell to Earn Series Sweep

2/28/2020 9:53:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Annie McKenna nearly posted a triple-double

By: Mike Miezejeski

HANOVER, N.H. – Dartmouth erased an eight-point third-quarter deficit Friday night at Leede Arena and defeated Cornell, 82-79, in overtime for the season sweep over the Big Red.

It was the first time since the 2009-10 season that Dartmouth (9-15, 3-8 Ivy League) swept the season series over Cornell (9-14, 2-9 Ivy). It was also the first overtime game and win since Feb. 16, 2018 at Yale.

Annie McKenna led the way with 17 points, matched her career-high with nine assists, and grabbed seven rebounds. Anna Luce finished with 16 points, connecting on 2-of-3 from deep, and grabbed four boards. Jimena Abejon was also in double figures off the bench with 13 to go along with four rebounds.

Katie Douglas and Kealy Brown each had eight points, while Paula Lenart was her consistent self with seven points and nine boards.

"Tonight was an incredible team effort from start to finish," said Belle Koclanes, the Gail Koziara Boudreaux '82 and Family Head Coach of Women's Basketball. "32 bench-points is that stat that we love the most. The effort and time that this group has put in is showing, they're playing at a higher level and are playing solid minutes. Scoring in the 80's was fun, and we shot really well tonight."

Trailing by eight with 4:03 remaining in the third quarter, Dartmouth was given a spark by Allie Harland, who nailed a pair of 3-pointers. Abejon kept it going with key shots to trim the gap to three heading into the fourth.

Lenart made two quick shots to open the final 10 minutes of regulation to give the Big Green their first lead since early in the third. Cornell fought hard and went back ahead by three with 1:39 to go. Luce then made a jumper and McKenna drove and scored with 20 seconds on the clock to put Dartmouth up one.

After a Big Red foul, Lenart hit the front end of two free throws and Cornell raced down the court to tie the game at 73 and send it into overtime.

With the game tied at 79 with 1:48 to go in the extra frame, McKenna stole the ball, got fouled and sunk both at the line. Douglas hit another free throw to go up three and Elle Louie blocked a Big Red 3-point attempt in the final seconds to preserve the win.

32 bench points was a season-high for the Big Green. Dartmouth shot 31-of-62 from the field (50%) and 11-of-20 from beyond the arc (55%). The Big Green's perimeter defense was strong, holding Cornell to 5-of-18 from long distance (27.8%).

The Big Green are back at home for their final home game against Columbia at 5:00 p.m. Dartmouth will honor its senior class of Annie McKenna, Paula Lenart, Kealy Brown and Grace Phillips.