ITHACA, N.Y. -- The University of South Dakota men's basketball team battled tough in its Division I debut but fell short in a 79-69 loss to Cornell University Friday night in Ithaca, N.Y.
Cornell, which is the defending Ivy League champion and returns a strong nucleus from last year's NCAA tournament team, was led by 25 points by Ryan Wittman.
The Coyotes (0-1) received an outstanding debut from Louie Krogman (Fr., White River, S.D.) in the defeat. Krogman had 20 points, five rebounds and three assists in 36 minutes of play. Dylan Grimsley (Sr., Sioux City, Iowa) added 18 points and nine rebounds, while Tyler Cain (Jr., Rochester, Minn.) added 17 points, seven rebounds and two blocks for the Coyotes.
Two of USD's regulars were slowed by injuries, as Jesse Becker (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) played in just eight minutes, while Steve Smith (Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D.) played in 21 minutes.
Cornell jumped out to an 11-4 lead but USD cut the lead to 11-7 with 13:58 left in the first half when Krogman sank a three-pointer for his first points as a Coyote.
Cornell built an 18-9 lead thanks to a 7-2 spurt but Grimsley converted a three-point play to bring USD within 18-12 midway through the first half.
Cornell's lead grew to 33-22 but USD responded again to close the gap. Mitch Begeman (Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D.) drained a three-pointer, and second later, Krogman scored to help USD climb back within 33-27 with 3:14 left in the opening half. Cornell ended the half on a 7-3 run to take a 42-30 lead into the halftime break.
Wittman's 19 points paced Cornell in the first half. Krogman was 5-for-8 shooting in the first half and had 13 points to lead USD, while Grimsley added seven. Cornell had a 21-14 edge in rebounds in the first 20 minutes.
Cornell built a 59-45 lead in the second half before the Coyotes mounted a rally. USD went on a 17-9 run to cut the Big Red's lead to 68-62 with 4:20 left. Grimsley had nine points in that run, while Cain had four. Krogman and Rane Mergen (Sr., Dell Rapids, S.D.) also added points during that stretch.
The Coyotes were as close as six with 1:58 left but got no closer as Cornell went on to secure the win.
Begeman added nine points and three assists for USD.
The Coyotes return to action on Sunday, Nov. 16 when they play at the University of Cincinnati. The game will be held at 5 p.m. at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati.
