MOUNT VERNON – Cornell freshman point guard Daniel Taylor netted a collegiate-best 15 points in Wednesday's 86-69 nonconference loss to Wartburg inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.
 
Cornell (1-10) had its work cut out against the high-flying Knights, who raised their season record to 10-2. Wartburg won the battle on the boards, 53-30, and received a 29-point, 17-rebound performance from 6-foot-5 junior Ethan Yungtum.
 
Making his second collegiate start, Taylor gave the Rams a spark with 6-of-12 shooting from the field. He also collected three assists and a pair of steals.
 
The Rams tallied 43 points off their bench, led by a 12-point effort from freshman Wayne Jurica. Cristian Acevedo posted eight points and four rebounds. Keon Talgo and Joseph Hudson scored seven points apiece and Jude Weaver dished four assists, all in reserve roles.
 
Wartburg set the tone early in building a 24-9 lead and took a 44-26 advantage into intermission. The Rams chiseled the deficit to 79-67 on a two Hudson free throws with 1:36 left in regulation.
 
The Knights, who entered the day averaging 87.0 points per game, shot 10-of-34 from 3-point land. Cornell went 4-of-19 from long range.
 
Coming up – The Rams (0-2 MWC) resume Midwest Conference play Saturday with a 1 p.m. home game against Monmouth (8-4 overall, 3-0 MWC).