Fred David

ITHACA, N.Y. - As time expired in the first half on Saturday against Columbia, Brian Grandieri heaved a shot from just past half-court that, 40 feet later, found nothing but net to send Penn into the intermission up 14 and Grandieri running into the locker room pumping his fist.

By Fred David Staff Writer fredd@sas.upenn.edu ITHACA, N.Y., Jan. 12 - Last year, Penn's Achilles' heel came in the form of a zone defense. In the second half on Friday evening, when Cornell switched from a man defense to a zone, the Quakers turned their old weakness into a newfound strength.

ITHACA, N.Y., Jan. 12 - Playing against a zone defense was Penn's Achilles heel last year. In the second half on Friday evening, when Cornell switched from a man defense to zone, the Quakers turned their old weakness into a newfound strength. Brian Grandieri's 18 points, including 10 in the second half paced Penn (8-6, 1-0 Ivy) to a 74-56 thumping of Cornell (7-8, 0-1 Ivy) at Newman Arena in the Ivy League opener for both teams.

ELON, N.C. - Trailing late in the game, with their leading scorer on the bench, and a free throw percentage well under 60 percent, Penn seemed on the verge of being upset by 3-9 Elon. But Ibrahim Jaaber, without the assistance of forward Mark Zoller who fouled out with three and a half minutes remaining, helped guide Penn to a 66-64 win with two big plays on the offensive side of the floor that secured the slim lead for Penn.