WAVERLY – Cornell's men's basketball team ran into a hot-shooting Wisconsin Lutheran squad Friday night, falling 84-71 in the opening game of the Buzz Levick Tournament at Wartburg's Levick Arena.
 
The undefeated Warriors (4-0), picked to win their third straight Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference title, took control early behind 62.5-percent shooting in the first half and led the final 39 minutes of the contest.
 
Cooper Kabela had a big night for the Rams (1-3) with 22 points, five rebounds and four assists. The fifth-year senior forward made 7-of-14 field goals and went 8-of-9 from the foul line.
 
Freshman guard Jayden Meeker hit a pair of threes and netted 14 points in his first collegiate start. Jordan Magnani scored 14 points and grabbed a game-high seven rebounds. Logan Christensen distributed a team-best five assists.
 
Meeker's 3-pointer only 40 seconds in gave Cornell its only lead of the night. Wisconsin Lutheran built a 49-38 advantage at halftime, thanks to 7-of-11 shooting from 3-point range. Another Meeker 3-pointer brought Cornell to within 51-49 early in the second half before the Warriors pulled away.
 
The Rams were hampered by 18 turnovers that led to 22 points for Wisconsin Lutheran. Cornell held a 34-32 edge in rebounds and had a solid night from the charity stripe, making 20-of-26 free throws.
 
Cornell gets an early look at Midwest Conference foe Monmouth (0-4) in Saturday's consolation game at 2 p.m.