MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's men's basketball team put five scorers in double figures and opened Midwest Conference play with an 82-75 victory over Illinois College Tuesday night inside the Small Sport Center.
 
The Rams (3-3 overall, 1-0 MWC) shot an even 50.0 percent from the field and never trailed in a matchup between teams projected to contend for the conference championship. Cornell was picked second in the MWC Preseason Coaches' Poll, Illinois College (4-4 overall, 0-1 MWC) third.  
 
Cornell, which dropped two tight games to the Blueboys last season, led by as many as 15 points in the first half and took a 37-26 advantage into the break. Illinois College got within five points on two occasions in the second half.
 
The Rams showed great offensive balance, led by senior Jordan Magnani and freshman Jayden Meeker who shared team-high honors with 17 points apiece. Magnani sank three 3-pointers and distributed seven assists to no turnovers. Meeker was a spark off the bench, netting 13 of his points in the second half.
 
Seniors Cooper Kabela and Marcus Quirk both tossed in 15 points and finished with nine and eight rebounds, respectively.
 
Logan Christensen pitched in 10 points to go with three assists and three steals. Logan Sharp and Izic Mackey added five rebounds apiece.
 
The Rams held Illinois College to 41.0-percent shooting and scored 16 points off the guests' 13 turnovers.
 
The Rams play host to MWC foe Lake Forest at 2 p.m. Saturday.