Nolan Cressler scored 20 points and Shonn Miller had six of Cornell's 13 blocked shots as the Big Red defeated Western Michigan 63-55 Saturday in the season opener for both teams.
Cressler, a freshman guard, came off the bench to shoot 6-of-8 from 3-point range. Cornell's bench outscored Western Michigan's 35-14.
Miller, last season's Ivy League Rookie of the Year, also came up with nine points and three steals for the Big Red, whose pressure defense limited the Broncos to 1-of-13 shooting to open the game and 30.4 percent shooting (17 of 56) overall. Cornell's blocked shot total was one shy of its school record.
Galal Cancer and Errick Peck added 10 points each for Cornell. Cancer also had seven assists.
Shayne Whittington led Western Michigan with 18 points and 13 rebounds, and Jared Klein had 12 points.
