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ITHACA, N.Y. -- Cornell's pressure defense gave Bucknell fits throughout, but the Bison made almost every open shot it could fire off after halftime to pull away late in a 72-56 victory over the Big Red on Wednesday evening at Newman Arena. The Big Red dropped to 6-9, while Bucknell improved to 13-2.

Senior Josh Figini scored 15 points, grabbed four rebounds, had two steals and blocked a shot to lead four double figure scorers. Shonn Miller added 14 points and two steals and both Galal Cancer and Dominick Scelfo had 10 points. All nine players who saw action for the Big Red had at least one steal as the team posted a season-high 12 on the night. Cornell had just 10 turnovers, but struggled from the free-throw line (8-of-18) and were outrebounded 34-24.

Cameron Ayers led the Bison with 16 points, while Bryson Johnson had 15 points to go along with seven rebounds and four assists. Former Patriot League Player of the Year Mike Muscala was again outstanding with 13 points, 11 rebounds, four blocked shots and four assists, but Cornell did a nice job limiting his touches. The 6-11 NBA prospect attempted just five shots. Joe Willman chipped in 10 points. The Bison had 20 assists on their 28 baskets.

While Cornell forced 14 turnovers, the Bison made just about every skip pass count after halftime, making 15-of-19 shots (79 percent), including 4-of-5 from beyond the arc.

It was a nip-and-tuck game for 34 minutes with Cornell only trailing by five with under six minutes to play when Shonn Miller hit the first of two free throws. Three Bucknell possessions later and it was a 13-point game. Bryson Johnson and Steven Kaspar hit 3-pointers sandwiched around a layup by Cameron Ayers. That started a string where the visitors scored of six of seven possessions to extend the lead.

Though the Big Red never led in the second half, Cornell was tied at 34-34 on a pair of free throws by Josh Figini just seconds after Johnathan Gray nailed a 3-pointer. Ryan Hill then came down the court and nailed a 3-pointer of his own with 16:35 remaining and Bucknell would lead the rest of the way.

Cornell led by as many as five points in the first half when Figini nailed a trey from the top of the jey to make it 24-19 with four minutes on the clock and was still up one after Gray found Miller underneath for a thunderous dink with 74 seconds left. Ayers found an open Bryson Johnson for a 3-pointer near the end of the shot clock to put Bucknell back in the lead (31-29) and Cornell couldn't get a good luck on its final possession.

The Big Red will hit the road for the final time in non-conference play when it visits American on Sunday, Jan. 6 at 2 p.m.