Pepperdine Rallies, Falls 86-85 to Cornell
Freshman Alex Constanza scored 25 points, but Pepperdine lost its season opener in Ithaca, N.Y.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Basketball
Pepperdine men's basketball lost 86-85 to Cornell on Nov. 2 after overcoming a 15-point deficit. Freshman forward Alex Constanza scored 21 of his 25 points in the second half.
Why it matters
The narrow loss in a season opener shows the team can compete from behind, though its three-point shooting and rebounding will need attention. The result sets the tone as Pepperdine prepares for its home opener.
Pepperdine hit 8 of 30 three-point attempts while Cornell hit 14 of 29, and Pepperdine won the rebounding battle 38-32 with 23 second-chance points. Constanza pulled down a game-high nine rebounds, and Pepperdine's bench scored 35 points compared to Cornell's 25.
The players
Alex Constanza
Freshman forward for Pepperdine men's basketball who led the team with 25 points and nine rebounds in the comeback effort.
Quinn Gibson
Freshman forward for Pepperdine men's basketball who blocked Constanza's shot with Pepperdine trailing 86-85.
The details
Pepperdine trailed by 15 points before rallying, and Constanza scored 16 of the team's final 24 points in the last 20 minutes. Freshman forward Quinn Gibson blocked Constanza's shot with Pepperdine trailing 86-85 as time ran out.
Timeline
Nov. 2: Pepperdine loses 86-85 to Cornell in Ithaca, N.Y.
Nov. 5: Pepperdine hosts La Sierra University in its home opener in Malibu
Season Trajectory
A season-opening loss on the road after a 15-point comeback gives Pepperdine an early measure of its depth, with its bench outscoring Cornell's. The result leaves the team's early-season trajectory defined by how it handles close late-game situations.
Fantasy and bracket watchers should note Constanza's nine-rebound, 25-point debut as an early indicator of his role. Pepperdine's next game at home on Nov. 5 gives fans an immediate chance to see the rotation in person.
The takeaway
Pepperdine showed it can erase a 15-point hole, but closing out tight games and winning the three-point battle will decide its early record. Watching how the freshmen handle larger roles over the next few games will show whether the rally was a sign of depth.
What happens next
Pepperdine hosts La Sierra University in its home opener in Malibu on Nov. 5.
Further reading
For more on college teams across the state, see Basketball coverage in California.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pepperdine Graphic.
