RIPON, Wis. – Cornell's men's basketball program had waited nearly three full decades since winning its last Midwest Conference Tournament championship. So what was a couple extra overtime periods?
 
Coach Dave Schlabaugh's Rams outlasted top-seeded Ripon on the Red Hawks' home court, 82-79, in a double-overtime doozy of a championship game Saturday afternoon inside Weiske Gymnasium.
 
As Ripon's last-gasp heave from half court fell short at the final horn, Cornell's bench flooded the floor in celebration of the program's first MWC Tournament title since 1994 and an automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Tournament.
 
The Rams (19-8) will find out next week's destination and opponent on the NCAA Selection Show at 11:30 a.m. Monday on NCAA.com.
 
Cornell punched its ticket to the NCAAs for the eighth time in school history. The last trip was 2009, after claiming the Iowa Conference Tournament title.
 
The senior-laden Rams got huge contributions from their veteran players against Ripon (18-9) in this 50-minute battle that witnessed 14 lead changes. Marcus Quirk and Cooper Kabela netted 25 points apiece, while Jordan Magnani delivered 15 points and six assists.
 
Junior Logan Sharp scored 10 points and sophomore guard Logan Christensen posted team-highs of 10 rebounds and four assists.
 
The score was tied 62-62 through regulation after Cornell forced a turnover on Ripon's final possession. The Rams took the clock down for the final shot in the first overtime, coming up empty and extending the game to a second overtime at 68-68.
 
Quirk powered his way for a bucket on the block that put the Rams ahead to stay at 80-79 with 34 seconds remaining. The Rams made key defensive stands on Ripon's final two possessions. Christensen rebounded Ripon's last 3-point try and sank two free throws to seal the victory with three seconds left.
 
The Rams buried 10 3-point goals in the game, five off the hot hand of Quirk. Cornell finished 16-of-22 from the foul line, including a 6-of-6 touch from Magnani.