Last-Second Heroics Lift Cornell Over Pepperdine in Instant Classic

Well, what a way to kick off a new season! Monday night at Newman Arena delivered exactly the kind of edge-of-your-seat drama that college basketball fans live for. The Cornell Big Red, hosting the Pepperdine Waves for their season opener on November 3, 2026, truly gave their home crowd a spectacle they wouldn't soon forget, pulling off a heart-stopping 86-85 victory in a game that literally came down to the final ticks of the clock.

From the jump, you could tell this wasn't going to be a walk in the park for either side. Cornell, however, seemed to find their rhythm first, heading into halftime with a respectable 46-40 lead. Their offense was humming, particularly from beyond the arc. The Big Red showcased some impressive shooting, knocking down 14 of 29 attempts from three-point range – a stellar 52% from the field overall, actually – and moving the ball beautifully, tallying 22 assists on their 33 made baskets. It really felt like a cohesive team effort.

Leading the charge for Cornell was Jacob Beccles, who, let's just say, saved his best for last. He ultimately finished with a team-high 19 points on a very efficient 7-of-12 shooting, including a hot 4-of-6 from downtown. But he certainly wasn't alone in lighting up the scoreboard. Mateen Rafiq was also dialed in, adding 17 points while converting 6 of 9 shots and an equally impressive 4 of 6 from three-point land. Kasper Sepp chipped in with 13 points, dishing out a career-high six assists, and Ian Imegwu came off the bench to pour in 12 points, all thanks to four crucial three-pointers. Talk about a collective offensive explosion!

Yet, the Pepperdine Waves, even on the road, were not about to roll over. They're a resilient bunch, and they truly showed their grit in the second half. Alex Constanza was an absolute force for the Waves, putting up a game-high 25 points, grabbing nine rebounds, and adding two steals. He spearheaded a furious late-game surge, personally scoring 10 points during a stunning 13-2 run that completely flipped the script. With just 40 seconds left on the clock, Pepperdine suddenly found themselves ahead, 85-84. The tension in the arena? Palpable, to say the least.

But heroes are made in moments like these. With the clock ticking down and the score tilted against them, Cornell looked to Beccles. And he delivered, driving strong to the basket and sinking the winning layup with a mere 24 seconds remaining. What a clutch play! Still, the drama wasn't over. After freshman Quinn Gibson missed a couple of free throws that could have sealed it, Anthony Nimani, with incredible hustle, snatched a crucial offensive rebound. Then, with just eight seconds left, that same freshman, Quinn Gibson, made amends with an absolutely vital shot block, preserving Cornell's fragile one-point lead and sending the crowd into a frenzy. Pepperdine just couldn't get another clean look.

When the final buzzer mercifully sounded, it was the Big Red who emerged victorious, 86-85, starting their season at a perfect 1-0. Pepperdine, despite a valiant effort and a strong showing from Petar Majstorovic who had 15 points, fell to 0-1. While the Waves did manage to outrebound Cornell 38-32, turning 16 offensive rebounds into 23 second-chance points – a stat that kept them in the game – Cornell's superior shooting and late-game composure proved to be the difference. What an opening night! If this game is any indication, we're in for a thrilling season of college hoops.