ITHACA, N.Y. –Nicholle Aston scored eight-straight Cornell points in the third quarter which was the spark plug of a 28-point third quarter outburst, and the Stags could not shake off a slow start, as they fell to the Big Red 59-35 at the Newman Arena.

The shots weren't falling right from the get-go for the Stags (3-5, 0-2 MAAC) as they connected on just three of their first 14 shots during the first 10 minutes.

However, they were not the only team that had trouble finding the net. Cornell (5-4, 0-0 Ivy) was successful on just four of their first 12 shot attempts but led 12-9 after the first quarter. Six of those points came from their leading scorer Nia Marshall who was limited to just three field goals in the first half (she came into the game in the top-five in the Ivy League in points per game).

The struggles on the offensive front continued into the second quarter, as the Stags did not score until the 2:42 when Kristin Schatzlein grabbed an offensive rebound and finished the layup. Schatzlein helped the Stags through this slump by accounting for seven of the team's 15 first half points.

Despite this, the Stags trailed by just nine going into halftime, due to a stifling defensive effort. Cornell managed 10 field goals in the first half, with six coming in the second quarter.

The Stags had more success on the offensive front after the break, with Kristen McLaughlin hitting a 3-pointer and Casey Smith adding six points in the third quarter, but the duo of Aston and Marshall took over for the home team, accounting for 18 of the team's 28 third quarter points.  

In the loss, Smith led the Stags with 10 points while Schatzlein had seven, all in the first half. Schatzlein also added two assists without a turnover. Khadidiatou "Dija" Diouf made her collegiate debut and grabbed two rebounds in the defeat. Lizzy Ball and Casey Foley added a team-high three assists and Samantha Cooper led the Stags with five boards.

For Cornell, Marshall led the team with 21 points and Aston added a season-high 18. Maddie Campbell led everyone with a career-high 13 rebounds for a Big Red team who has now won eight of their last nine home games against non-conference opponents.

The Stags will get back on the court for an important bounce-back game on Sunday against IPFW at Alumni Hall at 2pm.