MOUNT VERNON – Dylan Hurley netted 18 points in an impressive Cornell debut, although the Rams' second-half rally was turned back by Coe in a 78-64 season-opening men's basketball loss Wednesday night inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.
 
The Rams (0-1) shot the ball at a 53.1-percent clip and won the battle on the boards (34-29), but couldn't combat 18 turnovers against the Kohawks (1-0), an NCAA Tournament qualifier a season ago.
 
Hurley gave Cornell's lineup a boost, connecting on 8-of-12 field goals. The junior transfer from Iowa Wesleyan also had five rebounds and two assists in a team-high 33 minutes of action.
 
Zach Ingle tallied 12 of his 16 points after intermission, helping the Rams put a dent into a 16-point first half deficit. Newcomer Connor Barnett brought Cornell within 59-57 on a jumper with 9:17 remaining.
 
The Kohawks countered with consecutive 3-pointers as part of an 8-0 run that ultimately put the game away. Coe finished with eight 3-point goals, to Cornell's three.
 
Barnett provided eight points and five rebounds in his first start for the Rams. Jayden Meeker finished with 10 points, while Ingle hauled in a team-high six rebounds. Jaxson Herring contributed three blocked shots off the bench.
 
Coe was paced by the 1-2 punch of Cael Schmitt (26 points) and TJ Schnurr (23 points, 10 rebounds). The Kohawks extended their lead in the 2023-24 Bremner Cup All-Sport Series to 6-1.
 
Coming up – The Rams travel to play Eureka (0-1) for a 3 p.m. tipoff Sunday in Eureka, Ill.