The Brown women’s basketball team is gearing up for an important home game against the Cornell Big Red at the Pizzitola Sports Center on Monday. The event, which doubles as Youth Day, promises excitement with a 2 p.m. tip-off and live coverage on ESPN+. After facing a tough loss to Harvard over the weekend, the Bears are determined to secure a victory and add another win to their Ivy League record. Key players like junior guard Grace Arnolie and first-year forward Aima Ofunrein have been performing notably, while the team excels in three-point shooting. Meanwhile, the Big Red are looking for their first conference win after a narrow defeat by Penn. Historical matchups favor Brown, who has won the last three encounters between the two teams.
Following their recent setback against Harvard, the Brown Bears (7-9, 1-2 Ivy) are eager to turn things around. On Saturday, despite a competitive start, they fell short with a score of 53-83. This upcoming match offers a fresh opportunity to showcase their resilience. One standout player, Grace Arnolie, has consistently delivered, ranking seventh in the conference for scoring. She averages an impressive 15 points per game. Another notable performer is Aima Ofunrein, who holds third place in field goal percentage within the conference. Her contributions have been crucial this season, with 58 successful baskets so far. The team's strength lies in its three-point shooting prowess, averaging 7.9 triples per game, thanks to guards Arnolie, Gia Powell, and Olivia Young.
Cornell’s Big Red (4-12, 0-3 Ivy) enter the contest after narrowly losing to Penn by just six points. Despite the loss, several players had strong performances, including Paige Engels, Rachel Kaus, and Emily Pape, all finishing in double digits. Emily Pape stands out for her rebounding skills, ranking sixth in the conference with an average of 6.8 rebounds per game. Summer Parker-Hall leads the team in scoring, contributing an average of 12.5 points per game. While the Big Red have yet to secure a conference win, their recent close calls indicate they are capable competitors.
The history between these two teams leans heavily in favor of Brown. With a record of 56 wins to Cornell’s 32 losses, the Bears have dominated the series. Notably, Brown enjoyed a remarkable 17-game winning streak over Cornell from 1986 to 1995. As both teams prepare for Monday’s clash, fans can anticipate a spirited competition that could shape the remainder of their seasons. The stage is set for a thrilling encounter that will test both teams' mettle and determination.