PELLA – Cornell senior Caleb Leslie netted a season-high 17 points in Friday's 88-74 setback to defending American Rivers Conference Tournament champion Central at Kuyper Gymnasium.
 
The Rams (0-5) knocked down 11 3-pointers on the night, fueled by Leslie's 5-of-7 touch from beyond the arc. Leslie scored 14 points after intermission.
 
Cornell battled with the Dutch (4-1) and closed within 51-48 on a Max Markgraf hook shot with less than 13 minutes to go. Central regained momentum with a 14-3 run over the next five minutes to pull away.
 
Cornell's Nate Jacobson collected 11 points, five rebounds and three assists in his first start of the season. Kylen Bonner provided nine points, five rebounds and three assists in a reserve role.
 
The Rams had 13 players score in the game, with 33 points coming from their bench.
 
The hot-shooting Dutch went 16-of-33 from 3-point land, led by Brad Curren's seven trifectas and game-high 21 points.
 
Coming up – Cornell is back in action Sunday for a 2 p.m. tipoff against rival Coe in Cedar Rapids. The Kohawks won the season's first matchup, 80-69.