ITHACA, NY—Cornell exploded for 26 second quarter points led by two double-figure scorers for the Big Red, topping the visiting Highlanders, 68-44, in women's basketball non-conference action at Newman Arena.

Cornell snaps a two-game skid, moving to an even 2-2 on the young season while the Highlanders still in search of its first victory in 2019 move to 0-5.

The Big Red were led by Theresa Grace Mbanefo 12 points and eight rebounds off the bench followed by guard Shannon Mulroy with 10 points and game-best four assists.  Guard Samantha Widmann led the game on the board with 10, as Cornell held a 46-to-21 advantage on the glass.

For NJIT, freshman Maria Fux and redshirt freshman Maddie Martin each registered nine points.  The nine points for Martin is a career-high through five games.

Senior forward Danielle Tunstall added seven points, five rebounds, five steals and two blocks.

Freshamn Kenna Squier and Kendle Dalrymple chipped in six points each.

NJIT scored the opening bucket, a three-point from Fux as the home team rallied and pushed its advantage to seven, 18-5, with 2:35 remaining in the quarter.

In the second quarter, the Highlanders cut the Big Red deficit to as many as four, 21-17, after one-of-one made from the free throw line by Maddie Martin. 

Cornell used a 9-2 run to pull ahead by 11, 32-21, with 4:13 on the clock and took its biggest lead of the game, 20, 43-23, after a three-pointer by Ania McNicholas heading into intermission.

NJIT outscored Cornell in the third stanza, 15-13, led by four points from Tunstall but the Big Red's advantage was too much for the Highlanders to overcome in the final quarter.

The Highlanders will return to action on Tuesday at 7pm when NJIT visits Wagner in Staten Island, NY.