MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's men's basketball team showed its depth and young talent in Friday's 80-69 season-opening loss to the veteran Coe Kohawks at the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.
 
Coach Dave Schlabaugh had nine Rams play meaningful minutes in their collegiate debuts as his promising squad battled throughout the Bremner Cup contest.  
 
Tied 34-34 at halftime, the Kohawks gained momentum with 11 unanswered points in building a 62-45 lead with less than seven minutes to go. Cornell charged back and pulled within seven points on two occasions down the stretch before the rally ended.
 
Sophomore Keon Talgo tallied 14 of his team-high 17 points after intermission. He buried four 3-pointers and also had five rebounds.
 
The Rams received nine points apiece from Caleb Leslie and freshmen Jude Weaver and Kylen Bonner. Weaver led the team with seven rebounds. Bonner collected four steals.   
 
Cornell had 11 players score, although couldn't offset Coe's 14-point advantage from the foul line. The Kohawks made 26-of-32 free throws and also won the battle on the boards, 46-34.
 
The Rams shot 9-of-29 from 3-point range. Coe managed just four 3-pointers on 19 attempts.
 
Coming up – The Rams play in the Buzz Levick Tournament next weekend in Waverly. Cornell opens play Friday, Nov. 14 against UW-Eau Claire at 7:30 p.m.